Joel D.

Good selection of drinks and beer prices are reasonable. Friendly staff. This place is worth checking out simply for the ambiance. Never quite been in a bar like it and it's super cool. Seriously, go check it out.

Lola M.

retro-fab, steampunk-esque decor? check. attentive & sassy bar staff? check. really, REALLY good nachos? check. nerdy movies playing? yep. one of the gems of Pilsen - I would recommend it to anyone - and I'll be back! ps: GET THE NACHOS. pps: have i mentioned the delicious nachos?

Joey M.

Lil pricy BUT awesome food The nachos are amazing! Can't choose bw sweet potato fries vs regular fries?!? No prob! Get the mixed order!! I frequent this place at least once a month

Daniel C.

I love this spot. Been coming here for years. This place is my version of "Cheers" because everyone knows your name...or after a few strong Lagunitas, every one will be your bff. Food is great. Beer selection is perfect. Pilsen burger with extra cheese is a sin. French toast for brunch is a must. Weekends at night have been a little ghetto this past year. Young aggressive gang looking males take away from its once upon a time plaid clad pbr having calm hipster vibe. Go for brunch, lunch, or after work...then high tail it before midnight.

Shelley B.

I'm only giving this place two stars because they have a decent selection of bourbon and single malts and the bartender was really cool. Interesting "new" old fashioned with ginger. Food is horrible. The black and blue salad was one of the worst I've ever had. Paltry amount of steak that was over cooked. Greens were practically nonexistent. Waste of a precious meal in Chicago.

Carmen G.

I have been enjoying drinks at this bar for the past 4 years and it has never gotten old. The servers are sweet and the bartenders are great. People are complaining about their attitudes, but this isn't the gold coast. No one is going to kiss your butt here for a dollar. They appreciate your business, but they are real. They give good service, great food, and even better drinks. What else do you want?! I despise trivia almost as much as karaoke, but the music is spot on!

DLtoogood W.

I've lived in the neigborhood for over 3 years & decided to give Simone's a try. I was not happy with the service (waited 5 minutes for someone to tell me to just seat myself) and the Pilsen buger was so so. The sweet potatoe fries were pretty good. I had a similar burger meal at The Burger Bar three days a go & it was fantastic. Simone's has a way to go. Maybe some day in the future I'll return to see if they have improved.

Dustin L.

No baseball hats allowed!

Gina G.

We had a group of 10 people. We were heading to a beerfest in the neighborhood so we decided to meet at Simone's at 4pm for dinner and that would allow us get to the event when the doors opened at 6pm (it was a limited ticket even). First let me say there are not many restaurants to choose from in that area. The neighborhood establishments should know what events are going on and staff their facilities accordingly. The restaurant is large, we were seated in the back room where there was a second full bar, that was not open at the time. Though it was 4pm it was also a Saturday therefore, it made no sense why there was only one waitress servicing the entire back room. We got waters and our first and only round of drinks 45 minutes into our wait. In order to make the event we knew we wouldn't be able to order and get our food in time, so we left. The waitress took one drink off of our tab. I was really looking forward to experience the food, since I have heard good thing, but this situation does not make we want to every try to go back.

Peter D.

Solid, affordable bar in Pilsen. The neighborhood is really kind of a downer with so much property available and not enough density of meaningful establishments. This is a bright spot. I haven't had any food here but the beer selection is great and the bartender was friendly. The joint is huge! So many booths and tables and the atmosphere is just right. Very creative! I would definitely go back.

Jennifer Q.

I have read about this place, heard about it from friends...and only made it here (FINALLY) last week! I was down the street picking up some hair products on my lunch hour and needed to grab a bite. My friend and I chose Simone's. We each had a burger -very tasty! It was still nice weather so we sat outside. I think they may have forgotten about us for a minute there but, once they realized we were out there, the service was great! Our server was Jessica and she was super cool. I would LOVE to come back after work when I can spend more time there. Cool vibe. Very relaxed, neighborhood bar vibe and I enjoyed the food! A hidden gem just off the Halstead St. / UIC restaurant row.

Y H.

Went to Simone's for a birthday dinner, very laid back and perfect for a casual meal. They have board games available for you to play as you dine, which is awesome! Now the food: Pilsen burger: awesome, mouthwatering juicy burger, cooked perfectly. Can't go wrong with this option. Sweet potato fries: PERFECT Chicken empanadas: I don't think I would get these again. The chicken inside tasted like it had just been defrosted. Mozzarella squares: good if you like mozzarella sticks. Pizza: I tried the BBQ chicken and Tuscan pizzas. These were alright, not something I would necessarily get again. Coconut tres leches: good if you're craving something sweet, but overpriced IMO. 4 stars for the awesome atmosphere, good service, and some of the dishes being really great.

Elizabeth F.

One of my most favorite spots in Chicago! Hip & fun; I love this place. Low lighting, large booths (if you can score one!) loud music, excellent service & a diverse menu (drinks, drafts, food... even a good variety of vegetarian-friendly choices.) My favorite draft at Simone's: Left Hand Milk Stout.

Lupe G.

Okay so don't get me wrong; this is still the place for young singles to mingle but as a settled older woman who goes to bars for the sport venues & the quality food plus selection of drinks, this place left me disappointed. Bar food is usually incredible & this place's items were the blandest things I've ever had! Even the salsa had no flavor! The ingredients were quality so don't ask me what went wrong. As for their selection of drinks, well, this isn't a bar for the selective ones. I was told by regulars to come for brunch because certain dishes are better. I will have to do so. The staff was really friendly & YES, the place looks nice but I go to bars for the entire experience & comfort level. Maybe I'm just too old for this one

Rocio J.

Go to place when Lost Lake leaves you stranded... Great grilled cheese! Definitely recommend this place for a nice get together with friends and forget a bad experience at a tiki bar.

Miriam F.

If you don't like this place, you might want to get your head checked. Every time I've been (and I used to live around the corner, so like two times a week for almost two years) the food has been exactly as ordered, comes out fast, the atmosphere is nice, and even the takeout is great. Seriously an excellent option anytime you're in Pilsen.

Fabi G.

Definitely a hipsters bar come with an open mind and it will be a good atmosphere. It's in a great location and reasonable prices.

Devon W.

This review should be sung to the tune of The Who's 'Pinball Wizard' Ever since I was a young girl, I've loved a mean french toast. From Logan down to Bridgeport and east - west, coast to coast. But when I tried Simone's toast Their flavors beat out most [other restaurants] That dark, decorated, diner Sure makes a mean french toast!! Seriously though, the fact that approximately ever single bit of decorating is somehow made of, or made to look like a pinball machine is REALLY cool. They have a great playlist happening... even at 11:30a.m., and the overall vibe is excellent. Also, their french toast with the creme anglaise is bangin.

Erin L.

Really cool place. Awesome vibe, neat decor. Cozy little fireplace area by the bar and pinball machines/retro games all over the walls. Played good music too. Sat at the bar and had the empanadas appetizer. Pretty good, I'd like to try some other food items from the menu. Bartender was super friendly and even gave us a shot on the house! :) Excellent beer selection on draft and very generous with sampling those! Overall great experience! Would definitely frequent this place for an after work chill if I lived in the Chicago area!

Liz K.

When my friend suggested we have drinks at this Pilsen bar I wasn't expecting much...wow was I surprised! I may start hanging out in Pilsen more often! We stopped by for some after-work drinks on a Monday and it was pretty busy (on a monday!!??). I can see this bar is a neighborhood favorite. I will have to say very hipster and artsy type of bar. The bar itself inside is nice...plenty of seating...and there is outdoor seating too. Service was friendly and they have an extensive beer list and food menu. We ordered a pizza, empanadas (you must try!), fries, beer, and the Foster cocktail drink. I can see why my friend loves this place. Great place to just hang out with friends...drink some beers..and eat some good appetizers.

Theresa V.

Terrible food. They need to get ride of their chef and start all over. Very disappointing.

Monica R.

Eh I don't really care for the drinks on the menu, but the bar staff is always willing to tweak any drink to taste :) the food is typical of bar food, the scene is varied and usually hit or miss as far as servers. The music is always surprising which is the reason we keep going back... but I wish they would be a bit more adventurous with their menu both food and drinks.

Jay E.

Just alright, fun times come with lots of BS. Last time that I was there, lots of thugs were being let in and they were all starting fights with other bar goers. I use to live across the street, but decided that I would not go back.

Emily C.

I really wanted to love Simone's - the decor is awesome. I really loved all of the art. The service, however, was awful. The second the bartender found out we were only having drinks, she disappeared. This didn't make sense to me at all, because if she would have checked on us, we probably would have ordered another drink, which is the same price as a burger. 167/365

Chris G.

By now, you get that Simone's is a pretty unique Pilsen community bar that allows us art freaks, musicians, dancers, bikers, sexuality-alternative brainiacs, etc. to hobnob with anyone else who's surely welcome to lounge here. The food is decent, with the popular hand cut sweet potato fries flying past often. There are a lot of great craft beers on tap and in the bottle. Left-handed Juju! It's great that they've invested and built this arcade and grade-school, themed bar away from the usual Lincoln park and Bucktown pub scenes as it allows many locals (and those in exile) to "be" in a more relaxed atmosphere. The new wooden patio benches are fabulous, but try not to let the shedding cotton wood tree above spoil your joy. :)

SR M.

So I've been eating here at least weekly since the beginning of the year. It's a block away from my apartment and it's pretty cheap. The good: Servers are friendly. It's cheap. The bad ----The food rates at a 4/10. You may or may not get silver wear, napkins or a refill. My three big, but possibly stupid complaints are: More than half the time the giant monitors all over the restaurant are displaying someone's desktop instead of movies etc. It sort of kills it's vibe. Their burger is horrible! They slather it in bbq sauce in attempts to cover up the fact it is bland in dry. The result.....a sticky, bland mess. The final complaint is that the booze menu just sucks. It's been the same drinks forever and they seem to be more suited to winter than to spring. Who wants a hot drink when it's 65-70 degrees out?

Jennifer K.

Again, I was reminded WHY I SHOULD'NT go back to Simone's on 18th St. 1 . The burger was perfect, but........... 2. The service is awful. Waited 20mins for My food, instead of being told over the phone 'It would take 10mins'. The servers go out of their way to be rude. 3. That's not all. At the bar, some "KING OF THE DOUCHBAGS" guy was talking to his date VERY LOUDLY. King Douchebag says to her: "Yea, I lost My virginity to this girl, who is now a body-builder." And, he's going on and ON about his 'experience'. I'm looking at the date, and she looks annoyed. He made sure everyone heard his 'virginity experience'. It bothered me. 4. So then, King Douche shows the bartenders a recent photo of the body builder, and asks the bartenders what they think. Overall: Although the food is great at Simone's, what matters to ME is the 'service'. And, the service sucks ! It always does. A long time ago, I said I'd never come back. Then, I would, because I miss the food. Today's experience sums it up.

Jeremy T.

Come for the beer. Stay for the sweet potato fries. I've always heard a lot good things about Simone's, but never really felt the urge to visit the bar. So when I finally went I fell in love with the place. My first visit was in January during a Sunday. I soon found out that it was perfect for me because all draughts were $4. They have a good draft selection, but not too many local beers. We ended up staying for hours because it was a perfect combination of atmosphere, good food, good beer, and friendly service. The highlights of the menu are the bbq pulled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries. Be sure to get the fries with the maple aioli sauce. I've never liked sweet potato fries and I still don't. However, I love Simone's fries. They're absolutely delicious. They have a rotating draught list with craft beer for just about every pallet. I suggest an Lagunitas or Six Points beer. The look of the place is very interesting. You can tell a lot of creativity and time went into creating the unique decor. Lastly, be sure to NEVER sit inside the cool looking cage. The service up there is absolutely horrible. I've sat up there twice and the servers constantly forget to come up there. When the do come up there chances are they'll go to another table. Last time the guy only asked us once after our initial orders if we wanted another drink. We were there for 2 hours because we played trivia. You do feel like an afterthought while sitting up there. Sitting on the main floor in the seatbelt booths or at the bar I found the service to be fine. The subpar service upstairs is the only reason why I didn't give this bar five stars.

Chris H.

Very good burger and fries in an enjoyable atmosphere. My only real complaint would be the beer selection. Not that it was bad (far from it) but it didn't quite meet my expectations. There's a lot of good beer in the City and they could do better.

Frank F.

I've been here a handful of times - day/evening. In the night, it's like any other Chicago bar as far as I can tell. My biggest beef would be that the lines for their taps were FILTHY. I've also been there a couple of times since they have/had a burger lunch special. Both times we went, the kid behind the bar was useless. Bad attitude, didn't check on us once, had to flag him down to get the bill. I live close by and won't ever go back. Plus every time I ride past that place at night, it looks like a frat date rape party. Also, don't ever ever ever grab the top of a can of beer and shake it to see if I'm done. Just ask and keep your bar fingers off the top of my can. Good luck with your life, Simone's.

Diana R.

I was running out of places to bring my fellow co-workers and higher ups in University Village so I decided to venture out of that area and try Pilsen. How could I have almost forgotten about Simones, the perfect place for happy hour relaxation. I've been here many times and unfortunately, mostly quite inebriated. So I decided to cleanse my palate and do happy hour here today. We came here STARVING and at first were a little confused, we did not see a hostess at the door and did not know if you just sat yourself or waited for instructions. We grabbed a table, BUT it was right next to the door, so afraid of frostbite, we moved to the bar. So it was the four of us, I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they had 5 Rabbit Vulture on tap and that they had some good pizza to choose from. My friends ordered the burgers and quesadillas, they loved both. They also loved their beers. This place is great, everytime I come, its always a good time and good service. Met the bartenders tonight and they were awesome, will definitely be back!

B C.

Bacon...nachos. It seems so clear in hindsight, a perfect match, yet why'd it take so long for me to find this rare nacho species? This is the first place I've had them and they're as good as you'd expect. It's a suitable sized portion for two, and they had them ready for us quickly, in about 5 minutes. And the bacon nachos are just the beginning of my list of things that Simone's does right. The interior decor is a trip: people in the 1960s would have imagined 2012 looking like Simone's. It's glowing console tv's mounted from the ceiling, framed pinball facades, and big, pointy, metallic light fixtures. It reminded me of Dr. Evermor's Forevertron (see also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fo… ). The service is excellent, and the bartender was possibly the best we've encountered in years. He was quick with the beer tasters before we ordered each round he was and well-informed on Chicago's nacho scene. Thanks again, Lee. This place is well worth the trip to Pilsen and a fun, comfortable place to launch a night out.

M G.

I couldn't hate this place more. I've been here a few times with friends and just can't get myself to like it. I don't like the crowd that comes here or the service. Ratchet and lame hipster. Maybe because of the area. Although I will say that the interior of the bar is rather nice and some of the beers they have here are ok. That's only worth 1 star. I rather go out to wicker park. This place is over rated and not worth the hype

Damian P.

While waiting for my tattoo artist to prepare down the block, he referred me to Simones for a quick bite and a drink. I was plesently surprised with the ambiance of the place. Very low key, very dark and very well stocked with an array of draft beers that are quite tasty! But do not go in there for an MGD, this place does not carry the "regular beers", and beleive it or not, I am really glad they didn't. To start off with, I had a Dark Rasberry Ale on dragt that was so incredibly quenching that I no longer want the taste of "regular beers". I also had the chicken hot wings, and the waiter was gracious enough to let me know that they were 1/2 off tonight so of course I had 12. With a side of blue cheese and some celery, oh my word very near Hooters status and thats a big thing for me. I than had a caprese' salad of course with wedges of mozzerela cheese, not bad, and although its a small porition, I think it was just right for myself. I would definitely go back to try out some more deletables, but next time I need to take my partner to experience the place, really nice. But on the downside, after I was leaving, I overheard someone say "Lets go to the patio, its nice out". I would of so gown. It was also nice to know that these two young girls started a conversation and that said alot for the atmosphere. Really friendly neighborhood joint. So recommend it.

ChingWa C.

Great place to chill! My friend and I were driving down 18th st on a Wednesday night and decided to try this bar that looks pretty chill from the outside. Because it was a Wednesday winter night, it wasn't very crowded. Great music. The bartender Cat was very welcoming and told us about the different draft beers. The Allagash one was delicious! Our waitress was very friendly as well. Never thought that Pilsen would have such an amazing place with cool people. Went back again on a Saturday night on the same week. I will probably go back tomorrow for brunch too haha. Highly recommended! Definitely an awesome place to grab a drink with some friends.

Bill L.

I do like the atmosphere and Chris at the bar was good to me. I even tried a few new beers (I'm typically a Miller Lite drinker). May not be my default bar, but it'll serve as a nice change of pace place.

Micahel G.

It blows my mind that people like this place so much. I have been here about 20 times in the last year and I am yet to have a satisfying experience. The beer from tap tastes like soap, like they don't rinse the glasses or something. There is no culinary artistry in the kitchen, just standard fried shit. Everyone says how hip and cool their decor is, recycled seat belts, washer drum chandeliers, and dark colorful lighting. If you look closer the place is filthy. The dark lighting helps to hide the dirt and how poorly cooked their burger is. I split a burger with my girlfriend; medium was the request, well done and under cooked was what they served. I couldn't tell at first because I couldn't see my food in their cool lighting. Once I turned a phone light at the burger it was quite under cooked on the inside and over cooked on the outside. Service is good if you don't like attentive service. It seems like the servers are more interested in talking to their coworker than actually working. Over all, this place makes me sad. So close to my home yet so far from satisfaction. My suggestion is to walk a few blocks in any direction and find a worthwhile drink/meal at any of the other fine Pilsen restaurant/bars.

Andre W.

Finally got a chance to check out this popular Pilsen spot as I have always heard good things about it. Nice sized bar, but I was not a fan of the music though Started out with a Quickie which is Makers Mark with koval ginger, hum liqueur and ginger beer. It was so good I had two more. For my meal I went with the Chipotle Burger. It included an onion ring and chipotle BBQ sauce...yummy! The service was a little wierd and all over the place as it took awhile for someone to get to our table and once they did, 5 minutes later someone else came by and offered their services. Our actual server became more attentive once we started making jokes with him and shooting the breeze. I like this place and would definitley come back, but I usually never make it over to this particular area...Good stuff though

Afsha M.

Worst service ever! Been sitting here 20 minutes without a single greeting from a server and nevertheless I had to haul the waitress down to even give me a menu. She didn't even say hi...definitely not coming here again

Mike K.

went here with the lady friend and other times to see/hear dj john simmons. great vibe, great feel and great looking...this is a good place to chill. definitely recommend it.

Damien S.

I like how Simone's is just, I don't know, there. Cruising down the strip, doing the sign reading thing that every one else in the car hates and all of a sudden... "Laundromat, accountant, accountant, psychic, stationery, art gallery, bomb ass rage cage bar with pinball carcasses and a smokin' house DJ, accountant" -brakes screech- It's dark and geek-sexy, sporting said pinball spines along the walls, torn from old machines and mounted as though in Predator's trophy case. We sat beneath a light fixture of disassemble motor vehicles and mason jars, butts supported by old tire straps. Where steam punks meet to dine. Awesome. From the cocktail menu, the kid ordered a Shortie ($8), partially because our überkül server sold me on the mezcal's inherent smokiness and partially for the pleasure of saying, "Bring me a Shortie." I became a Pimp Sultan in a hot minute. Speaking of hot! The Pilsen burger - 8oz of charred beef under chihuahua, guaca and jalapenos - is no fucking joke. Considered a baller to the likes of many a "spicy dish," the fresh torched chiles sent my salivary glands into overdrive. Not even the pretzel roll eased the pain, although I channeled my inner vampire and found solace in the sanguine juices flowing from the undercooked meat. We split some of their highly touted empanadas, and while satisfying, neither the flaky pastries nor the accompanying sauces really floored me. But really, who cares? Everything about Simone's screams mad chill. And by screams, I mean croons. Skeerwa-skeerwa-sofresh.

Chan K.

I didn't eat here, but my date ordered a burger and it was huge as was the side. I had a cocktail, and it was well crafted. There's a decent selection of beer, a small patio and on that night a live band. I'd definitely come back, especially since there is a dearth of nicer pubs in Pilsen.

Yesy D.

The food is good and the beer selection is good, that is if you get service. Horrible wait staff.

Yaniv K.

Last Friday, a long unseen friend recommended to meet again at Simone's in Pilsen. I realized after seeing the photos of this place that I had been here before (though I had sat outside by the tables since it was too packed inside). Simone's decor is definitely unique. This time around, we sat inside, as we couldn't resist the intricacy of its lamps, tables, bars and everything in between. My girlfriend ordered The Foster cocktail, which had a citric and fruity flavor in the vein of an orange soda. I was equally impressed by their beer selection; it included separate lists for drafts, cans and bottles. We also ordered the nachos; now, those were SPECTACULAR. Hands down, one of the best appetizers in a while. My only problem with Simone's is the absurd noise level - it was obscenely loud. When I go to a bar with friends, I like to hear what they say. Conversely, I like them to hear what I say. But when I left the bar, my hoarse voice was corrosive and shutting off like a bulb in its last stages. Either way, if loud background music is not an issue for you, I recommend Simone's if you're in Pilsen. OH, and by all means, don't forget to order their nachos.

Tiff J.

Cool vibe in a low key part of town. The food was good and I liked the crowd. I just wish this place wasn't so hard to get to. If I'm going to Simone's it has to be a commitment. With that being said, I'll definitely be back soon!

Ashley M.

Meh. I've had fun grabbing drinks here but the food is terrible...fried pickles were the worst. There are better bars and better food in the area.

Nyta C.

I absolutely adore this place! It's so... Down to earth! I don't know why I haven't found this place earlier. I swear it's a gem. The bartender was attentive and compliant to my many requests and I really like the interior design. The crowd wasn't too busy but everyone was just on their own thing. I definitely need to come here more often. I was having drinks with a friend for ther birthday and we got drunk for like 40 bucks. WOW .

Casey B.

I am at Simone's a lot. The place is great- good beer, love the vegan burger. If that was the whole story Simone's is easily a 4.5-5 star place. BUT! The trivia guy. He is the worst-- way too loud, not clever and plays the worst music. Fortunately he's only here once a week. I know he's in Tuesday or Wednesday--- I can never remember which--- and if I make the mistake of going that night I leave promptly for Skylark.

Matt F.

Great little patio settled in a quiet area of Pilsen. Drinks were okay, beer was better than the cocktails. Food was so-so. Our server was slow, at the end of our meal completely disappeared and didn't show up for 20 minutes.

Robert W.

My wife and I stumbled upon this gem when exploring Pilsen one Sunday. Lured in by their $4 draft sign we headed in for a drink. We were quickly fascinated by the decor, wide range of beers on tap, in bottles, and cans, and great looking food menu; not to mention very reasonable prices compared to what we're used to (we live in River North). We didn't have any food, but easily spotted several items for lunch or brunch that we would want to try on a future visit all under $12, most under $10!. We were compelled to get up and walk around just to see how they integrated cool stuff into the place. Some of our favorite things include the very friendly service and the amazing space which is significantly built from re-purposed/reused parts: bowling alley lanes to make the wood bar-top, pinball machine chandeliers and more! We'll definitely be back to this cool, funky spot for some more drinks and to try the food too!

Sarah B.

I've always had a slightly to moderately bad time here each time I go. Saturday night was no exception. We arrived late, around 12:30. The bouncer made us wait outside, claiming that they were at capacity. Not a problem. However, in the 15 minutes that we were waiting, the bouncer let in 7 people through the front door and 13 through the side door. I then asked the bouncer what was up with those people, and he claimed that they'd been out smoking (they hadn't). I asked him what the capacity was, to which he responded "I can't disclose that at this moment." I pointed out to him that capacity must legally be posted inside the bar area. He didn't seem to understand. I work as a hostess at a very popular bar on the north side, so I'm aware of how capacity works. I'm also aware that some places make a line outside in hopes of looking busier and attracting more of a crowd. This is what that bouncer was doing. This charade went out for about 15 more minutes until we decided to leave and go to another bar. We were stuck waiting in below freezing temperature during this time. The bouncer was incredibly incompetent and rude. In my past experiences, the staff has been rude and the service has been slow at best. The food is overpriced for the quality. The place would have had potential if they hired competent staff. I definitely do not recommend Simone's.

Mary F.

Our waiter Stevie was amazing. Great service. He made us delicious iced coffee. And we had a deliciously spicy Bloody Mary. The food was awesome, got the chipotle burger with avocado with a side of fries. They add sweet potatoes fries which are great. Out door seating was beautiful with some nice tunes. Definitely coming back again!

Andy M.

A nice looking bar with pinball decorations. They had singing kararoke Sunday night and all beer drafts were four dollars. A heavily male and Latino crowd the night I went and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The small work crew was overburden yet still fast.

Colleen C.

Oooo, the shift has begun, Pilsen. Ok, so maybe it had been a long time coming...but now it's totally, completely legit. Artists beware, hipsters take cover...there's a trendy bar on the scene. Not that I'm complaining...I'm quite impressed by it. Really. It's glitz and glam without being cheesy and overplayed. Totally dig the recycled-crap-made-cool-by-way-of-expensive-­amalgamation-and-finishing they've done with the place. Truly. It's pretty cool...def worth a trip just to check out the new digs. Fireplaces. Seatbelt booth seats. Old chem tables used as highboys/bars, pinball machines. You get it. Cool. Service. Great...opening day usually has everyone on their best behavior, so we shall see how it pans out in the long run. Lots of cute girls, go figure ;) Food: The only downfall. My chicken sandwich with honey slaw was...messy. Sloppy, really. Limpish fries (mixed sweet potato and regular), eh. Vanilla sundae was pretty lackluster, just ice cream and chocolate syrup. Nothing super exciting...but I'm sure the menu will evolve. Spinach artichoke dip was FANTASTIC, but a bit more pita and crispier chips would make them over the top. Apparently I must try the nachos. Drink selection looks pretty stellar...would def go back for an evening of fun with friends. Looking forward to open windows and patio seating. Hopefully they can meld into the neighborhood a bit...striking a balance between hip and intrusive can be a very fine line, eh? Def worth a try. Long live Pilsen!

Todd W.

Pretty awesome bar no matter how you look at it. Great and unique drinks, a bit pricey but well worth the trip. By the way it IS a trip to get there. No CTA or main busses go there so be sure to pay for a Taxi or bring a designated buddy. Food is actually top of the line as far as bar food comes. Sandwiches use local mexican bakery bread which makes it uniquely awesome. Their cocktails are pricey but pretty good also. Perfect for a couple of hours, especially on a date.

Jamie H.

Delicious! Cool vibe, good beers and really good eats...best kind of place! The veggie quesadillas and vegan burger were both great. You get two kinds of fries with your meal too, just a fun extra treat! I recently moved near by, I'll be back again and again!

Mary Ann C.

My second visit brought much better service. Fast and more attentive. The BLT was amazing.....I hope to return very, very soon for another! Yummm

Emily B.

I am a sweet potato fry fiend and I was told these are the best by a number of people -- they are definitely on to something! Each fry was like a mini baked sweet potato, so yummy. I had their veggie burger which was also pretty mind blowing. I liked the chill service and the beverage selection. Next time, I'm deep diving into a plate of nachos, though, as I saw a few tables had them and they looked bomb!

Jelena Z.

I've been spending a lot of time in Pilsen lately, and Simone's has quickly become one of my favorite spots. If you feel like wasting some time on a Sunday, all their beer pours are $4, all day, all night. Need some guidance? The sweet bartender (forgive me, I forgot your name) will not only let you sample to your heart's content, but he'll make some on-point recommendations. Go with the brews from Boulder, they're really mellow but still full on flavor. I had two pints and I was buzzed like a baby with some bourbon in her bottle. What? I heard that tonight at dinner. Oh, and the DJ booth is is like something from outer space on fire. Every time I go here, something new (to me) turns my head! Stimulation... it's a good thing.

Emily D.

I went here again last Friday and it was just "so so". Had a burger, which wasn't anything exciting. If I wanted an impressive burger, I would go someplace else. It didnt seem to have much flavor (my friend actually mentioned that too). Also, I ordered grilled onions and it was very skimpy. On a side note, friend wasn't impressed with burger either. The service was good at the beginning, but then ended. I sat waiting for water for like 15/20 mins, so then ended up calling it a night. I will be back and try something else on the menu. The vibe here is AMAZING! Love it.

Sara L.

This is a coll bar for the neighborhod. It has awesome artwork and a great feel inside. The draft beer selection is great. I ate here once and the service was quick. I don't remember how the fod was which means it didn't stand out for me.

S.E. A.

Great neighborhood bar with a diverse crowd and plenty of space. Hard cider on tap and vegetarian items on the menu were a plus. DJ on a weekend night cinches the feeling that you're part of something creative here, rather than just consuming the same old same old one more time.

Lera T.

I love having Simone's around the corner from my house, and though I come here arguably too much, I can't stop coming back! The Cucumber Cooler is divine, and I've never had anything I didn't enjoy on the menu. I highly recommend the nachos, seared tuna steak sandwich, and any of their burgers. The vibe is low-key yet fun, and it's pleasant at any time of day or day of the week. Also, the server Claire gives my boyfriend and me fantastic service every time we visit Simone's. She remembers our drink order preferences and brings them out right away. She's a huge asset to the Simone's team and brings the experience up a notch!

Nykol T.

I was here about a month ago on a quest to determine which is the better neighborhood bar- Simone's or Skylark. I went to Skylark first and had 3 beers then walked over to Simone's. Skylark wins, here's why: -Douchey vibe. Not sure if it's the loud music, decor, or obnoxious drunk people. I prefer a more laid back scene, so maybe it's just preference. It seemed too flashy/ clubby to me. -Inattentive staff. The bartender seemed annoyed that we had managed to grab a good spot at the crowded bar. We only managed to order one drink. -The drink (whiskey sour) that I ordered was weak and overpriced. -The place is difficult to navigate, and hard to find anywhere to sit. I give one star because it's walking distance from my place, but even so, I'd rather walk the extra few blocks to Simone's and enjoy myself. I give the second star because I was on a date, and he was boring. So maybe I was already annoyed, and I recognize that this place might be more fun for a group setting. Also, I'm thinking the place might not be too bad if you come in already drunk, although after reading some of the reviews it seems as if they have a rep of throwing people out. In any case, I'd suggest having a good time at Skylark first, and if you're feeling bored or drunk there, head to Simone's. I might give this place another shot.

Derek B.

ALMOST too good to be true. I had an overall great experience at Simone's. FIrst come, first serve seating, while maintaining a high level of service. Very friendly, prompt and attentive. Impressive and fairly priced menu. Better than average beer list. Very cool ambiance. So, I decide to properly round out my Pilsen experience and go with Simone's Pilsen burger. Good choice. One of the best burgers I've had in a long time. My friend's buffalo chicken sandwich was also great. One problem.... getting down to the last bites, and I find a long hair INSIDE my burger. Probably just an isolated incident and not a true representation of their sanitation procedures, but if that happened again that would spell the end of my patronage to Simone's. Everything besides this one detail was so great that I'm willing to forgive it. That being said, I am more than willing to give them another chance! The place seems too good not to.

Juliana R.

Really nice bar, spacious, clean, but I don't really get the hype. Music was awful Service was great I had an alright time but don't know if I'd come back.

Christian M.

Great place to grab a drink or get a bite! Eye candy everywhere, and thats not even the patrons! Friendly staff too. The menu is large enough to accommodate many tastes and there are outstanding specials everyday. I will be back often...

Maria S.

This place is a hidden gem! A must try... from the green, kitschy decor to the extensive beer menu, this is the place to be; I have not been disappointed yet! The food choices are all DELISH! I have tried just about everything on the menu. I know i have not checked in all of the time but TRUST me i have been here enough times to tell you about this quirky, friendly, and just unique place... Try anything on the menu i am sure you will enjoy it just as much as i have! be adventurous, live a little and meander out on the Pilsen, you won't regret it~!

Adam K.

Good drinks, GREAT SERVICE, friendly patrons, cool decor, reasonable prices. I breezed through here on a crazy night around the town, my buddy Vik ordered a ginger beer with some kind of whiskey in it drink. It was awesome, I get to the bar and attempt to order the same thing, but I ordered a specialty drink and he got some drink not on the menu. I said, "Damn, I think I ordered the wrong thing, let me check with my friend to see if he likes this, if not I may have to order another." She said, "Don't worry about it, its on me!" Wat? Where am I? And the bartender had a gorgeous blue dress with the back cut out a bit, made it like new cleavage. So nice. Some dude standing at the bar with a hot chick was super nice and we spoke of all our favorite specialty drink spots, Three Aces, Aviary, Gilt Bar, Silver Palm, Bangers & Lace, Bedford and now this place. I did not get a chance to try the food, but it looked tasty. Very roomy space, lots of modern fixtures and cool lighting. No pool tables.

Joe S.

I've never had a bad experience at Simone's. A great neighborhood bar in Pilsen. The food is excellent, the drinks are tasty, and the beer is always cold. The only downside is that the service can be pretty slow at times. But overall, we enjoy coming here.

Erica W.

How have I lived here all this time and not known about Simone's Bar? The ambiance itself is reason enough to come. It's like a giant pinball machine inside, yet it is inside of a loft-like building full of character. I went after going to the Pilsen Art Walk, and walked inside of a very trendy restaurant/bar with an amazing DJ. The food was good - I tried the empanadas, and one of my friends had the chipotle burger, which was excellent. I also saw that they have brunch, so I plan to come back and check it out. Definitely a great place to bring people from out of town for a unique experience - really cool place to hang out. I will be back!

E J.

First (weekday) night I passed by this place it was packed. Came early evening a few days later and really enjoyed a 9oz glass of a dark porter. Chocolatey and delicious. Service was great. Loved the pinball decor. And despite being a little pricier than the dives surrounding it. The price was well worth it for the ambiance. Def recommended for chillin' with a friend or two, sippin' delish brews!

Amy H.

"This bar looks like the inside of a pinball machine" is what my friend told me before we went to Simone's Bar. It's true, it kind of does (or what I would imagine it to look like. I don't spend a lot of time inside pinball machines.) I really enjoyed the interior, but unfortunately, I didn't get to experience much else. We were looking for a nice place to sit and talk and have a few beers and Simone's was a bit loud and clubby by the time we got there. The doorman was probably the nicest doorman I've ever talked to. He tried to help me get a cab and then shook my hand while I was leaving and wished me a good night. Wow. Super nice! I would go back to Simone's, but I would be more prepared for the atmosphere and know that it is not a bar to chat in.

Catie V.

Simone's is well worth the trip to Pilsen. Their food is superb, specials are awesome, and service is great. The decor is so awesome--really retro vibe but in a fresh way. The place has a definite personality, which I really dig. Food: quinoa vegan burger was great taste-wise, but was kind of soggy. Sweet potato fries were nothign to write home about, but pretty good. The pizzas are my favorite -- especially the Tuscan. The crust is really great, almost like toasted flatbread. Drinks: love The Foster, but their beer selection is pretty great! Unfortunately my status as broke college kid limits how often I can afford a full meal here, but the atmosphere is totally worth paying for a few drinks.

Lizz R.

3 stars is pretty darn A-OK to me considering the location. Let me tell you that this place has a groove attitude. I really like the location especially being close to Halsted near University Village. I made at least 3 trips here to enjoy their brews and special drinks. I tried the Trinity and ginger Mai tai which was pretty tasty. There's also a selection of items on the food menu. I suggest going for the Portabella mushroom pesto burger w/goat cheese. It's served w/Cheddar but PLEASE substitute for goat cheese.....DELICIOUS!! served with sweet potato fries. Also the veggie quesadillas are a great pair with a drink of choice. The ambiance is fun. Tune in to your college drunkies :) all in all a diverse, good food, good drinks, outdoor patio (weather permitting) music and recycled decor is fun. Outside of a taco joint in Pilsen!

Sean N.

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NARDO Q.

Went there yesterday and was one of the last people to get out. It was 1:45am and the bartender was acting like it was 2:30am. I understand that the law states that we are to leave by two but he was rude, he swore and disrespected a lot of people. He stated his name to be "Joe" but I am not too sure about it. I saw him basically push a lady out of the door for no reason after calling her a "c*nt". I do not care if a customer is intoxicated or not, (she did not appear intoxicated) you do not a call them out of their name. Standard rule of thumb. I will not be going back.

Natalie G.

I love the vibe of this place and decor! Furniture is garnished with recycled treasures from random places such as schools (chemistry sets), antiques, or just recycled items. It's a unique gem located in the heart of Pilsen. Tough to find parking sometimes, but worth walking 2 blocks for a drink. Prices are moderate. Food is good. And I come back because every night is different. Whether there's an open mic, old school hip-hop, or top 40's.. it's good for any mood your in. You don't have to get dressed to the nine's.... or feel like a complete hipster.

Blythe Z.

So Much Fun. I came here for my 30th birthday, and it was a great choice. The vibe was exactly what I was looking for and my friends loved the food. I ended up with a party of about 15ppl. and everyone had a great time, other then 1 other person it was all our first time there. I was sort of bummed b/c last minute more then a few of my friends clx'd. The GM was kinda enough to do a shot with me and serve me a drink which really cheered me up. Made me feel special, since I was feeling a lil down. The reclaimed pieces make the decor really unique and the service was excellent. The "lab" in the back is really cool. The DJ was excellent, we all enjoyed the music. My favorite drink was the Foster (I heart Pimm's) and their Mai Tia is also very yummy. I can't want to go back. For a 1st experience this was stellar! THANKS FOR A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

Hana B.

Another bar in Pilsen that I'm fond of. Of the three bars that I frequent often in Pilsen (Skylark, Harbee's, and Simone's), I'd say this is the "nicest"/least divey. Definitely loud -- maybe even louder than Harbee's. I do really love the interior of this place. Haven't tried the food here, but for food+drinks, this place has a pretty decent selection (menu looks a lot better than Skylark for food, though I don't know if anything can really beat the tater tots at Skylark...). I heard this place gets packed on the weekends, but the last few weekends I've come by, it wasn't too bad. My friends and I were still able to find tables to sit at.

Stephanie T.

Yesterday was EC's birthday, and a Yelp search for "birthday dinner" doesn't yield any results?!?! Faux pas on Yelp's part. However, Simone's repeatedly topped my search criteria in our area for drinks and dinner, and for good reason. I'm going straight to the details on this one: - Nightly deals (Tuesday is $4 cans and $5 nachos) - Unique cocktail list (Ginger Mai Tai is worth running off two or three of them the next day) - Fantastic list of beers on tap - EC reports a great Pilsen burger - My grilled cheese on multi-grain w/ tomato bisque and mix of sweet potato fries/regular fries was great. - Menu priced to make you want everything! - Vegetarian (and Vegan) options are outstanding. - Our wait staff was great - attentive but not overly so, made great menu suggestions, and was friendly and fun. - Outdoor seating surrounded by flower-box greenery and local street art. - DJ music available Wed-Sat nights. - Great table inside with advertisements of local businesses and events - No special action for birthdays (though our waiter remember at the end of the night and gave a hearty "Congrats!") A fifth star is being reserved for one thing, and one thing only: will this become our University Village, walkable favorite bar and dinner food favorite? We had this in CT, and need a new one. I'll return to this review after these summer months to determine a next course of action. For now, insert "birthday dinner" in the search criteria!

Rachel H.

Simone's, I have some mixed feelings about you. It's true. There are my initial "Eeek, gentrification" feelings, the fact that you're owned by the same people as Black Beetle, and an unfortunate incident involving a friend of mine who used to live above you before and then after you opened, among a few other things... all those aside, I'm willing to divulge your good qualities to the people of Yelp as well... 1. Last year there were awesome paninis to be had at the Pilsen Farmer's Market, courtesy of Simone's. 2. Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere (even though the markup is a bit much) 3. A cheaper beer called Moose Drool. 4. Cool decor from old bowling alley parts 5. A cocktail which inspired me to buy and not throw away Buttershots. The Give Inn, this one's for you... This is not my kind of hang on a busy weekend evening, but for a lovely summer Saturday afternoon, I will back

Kathleen A.

Lots of cool things going on in this place. One, the beer selection, I will have another Allagash please and thank you. Two, the stellar food. Their burgers were delish- absolutely loved the buns on these babies. They also serve up a mix of sweet potato and regular fries, so you aren't faced with the decision to choose either one. Three, the decor-almost has a Jetsons feel to it!! Lastly, the music!! Came on a Thursday night before Xmas, and they were layin down some funk. What a blast. I could have stayed here all night.

Jackie B.

FINALLY made our way to Simones even though it is only a few blocks away... I first heard about Simones when one of the bartenders from there was in a Metro-mix (?) best bartender competition against my cousin. Obviously I was voting for her, but I discovered Simones and was wanting to check it out. We headed in on a weeknight and sat in the back room, as the front was pretty full. There was vintage science/distillery bottles all over the back bar. I ordered the "give inn" and my boyfriend ended up having 2 different drafts. The drink was good and strong. I am not a huge beer fan, so I cannot comment there. Overall, I would love to come back and sit up front (where all the cool pics are from) and try some of the food (I've heard mixed reviews). However, its great having this place in the neighborhood!

Luan N.

A great way to start the night or a great way to round off the night after Honky Tonk BBQ. Either way, a good choice for this part of Pilsen. Food: I would say the food is a notch above regular bar food. I thought the stuffed blue cheese burger was one of the better burgers I have had in awhile. The rosemary potato pizza was unique and flavorful. Except, it was a little too cheesy and heavy towards the end. They even serve one of my favorite tres leches cakes, which is from Kristoffer's cafe. Drinks: Quite a creative array of concoctions that work for the most part. The "Beaten black seal" toddy was the best version of the hot buttered rum I have had in Chicago. "The John Daly" surpassed my expectations. While "The Omen" was a bad one... just tasted too bitter! Ambience: I love the decor, everything from the light fixures to the backdrop of the bar. Simone's bar has lots of character and personality, mind you maybe a bit disheveled and eccentric, but just an interesting place to walk into. It's almost like a mad scientist, a hobo, and a painter huddled together and designed this place. In a way, it's an escape from the choke-hold of structured life to a bit of haphazard randomness. I don't venture out to the Pilsen area much, but if this was my neighborhood bar, I could see myself coming often. Great prices for above par food and drinks.

Nycole H.

I've been here four times and each time has been very different. Two times I came just for drinks and music and the other two were earlier in the day for food. The food wasn't bad at all. Not really memorable. I wouldn't run back for it. It's a nice spot for when I'm in my friends neighborhood and we just want to walk somewhere. As for the nightlife aspect it's really interesting...which I know is a weird word to describe a bar. It's very diverse and the music is usually pretty good. They have good drinks.

Murphy G.

Simone's has gone downhill. Past two times I was there my chopped salad (which used to be outstanding) was full if brown, rotten lettuce. 1 time - fine.... but twice? Also, their pizza used to be great - suuuuper thin crust. Now it is as greasy and average as any old bar. Step it back up please! I miss the old Simone's.

Andres D.

Simone's Bar is undeniably unique when it comes to their decor. Bar top and chairs made from a bowling alley lane. Not to mention environmentally responsible including solar panels on the roof. My recent visit was an early one..about 2pm in the afternoon. Three Floyds on tap..love it! Pride and Joy for everyone was a must. The Two Brothers Dog Days was a winner too. Must have had 3 of those that afternoon. Day drinking is quite comfortable here, not to crowded and a cool breeze if you sit near the door.

Victor L.

I spent a lot of nights here this late summer, my friends practically live her (since one of my boiz and his wife live a few houses from here) over the summer. What seems to be popular as the drinks is the food. However, I have yet to try It. So far, the bartenders here provide the best service, that I have experienced at a bar. The bartenders here love their job. What I find interesting is that part of this place's energy is provided by solar-panels that are located in the bar's rooftop, they depict the solar energy efficiency via graph charts on LCD screens. This place gets packed! With a diverse crowed. The music is great, the DJs do a great job (from their booth overlooking their legs and feet...lol!) keeping the the crowds lively. The interior decor is basically out of this world, nonetheless. Great drinks and unusual drink selection, overall, It's all about The Lagunitas. One or two and you're out.

Natalie O.

I lived near Simone's for about 6 years. The decor is amazing! I wish I could bring people in to check it out. But the service is so horrible. It is always so slow. Even on the slowest nights when you are sitting at the bar. It is too bad. This should be the best place in the city!

Linsey R.

Although I've lived in Chicago for about 6 years now, last night was the 1st time I had ventured to the Pilsen neighborhood and I was pleasantly surprised. We went to Simones for a few drinks before we went to dinner. The decor of the bar is INCREDIBLE! I would recommend stopping in just for that alone. The beer selection was good too. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to beer but they have Allagash White on tap which is one of my favorites. From the looks of it though the selction was good. I also noticed the bartender making some very appetizing looking cocktails. It was very busy for how early in the evening it was but we were able to find a spot at the bar. I didn't have a chance to look at the food menu as we were too busy noticing all of the neat little details in the architecture but I will definetely be back to have a few beers and to try the food!

Anna J.

i went there last night after knowing about for at least six months. i haven't done much in pilsen except eat a few taco's so i didn't even know there was much over there. while driving down 18th i was surprised at the amount of restaurants, bars and galleries. parking was difficult but we managed to find a space on a side street . wow. wow. this place is soo fricking cool. all the cool stuff to look at. having a background in interior design i was way overwhemled at the design of the space. i couldn't stop touching some of the weird textures and couldn't stop looking at things really close to try to figure out what some of the stuff was. i had to ask the waitress who the designers were because i loved it soo much. all recycled items that were salvaged and incorporated into the design. (heart) ok. now the beer and food. the beer list is pretty awesome. we sat in a booth and had a really attentive waitress. we ordered hummus and nachos that were pretty good. they have dj's so that is awesome and it feels like most places don't anymore. the first dj played some awesome hip hop. the second one played some chicago house and my friends got bored of it so we decided to leave. overall..the vibe, the crowd, the food, the drinks. it's my kind of place and i will be back very very soon.

Lily H.

I go back and forth on this place and the last few experiences I've had here have swung my opinion way more in the negative direction. First of all, Simone's get off your high hipster horse and start hiring nicer bartenders/servers who don't treat their customers like they should be grateful to be speaking to them. I was a total regular at this bar for about a year straight and while the bartender was sometimes cool with my boyfriend and I, he also was the type who would stroll around the bar for what seemed like hours and then all of a sudden decide to acknowledge the TWO people at the bar who are trying to get a drink. I'm sorry, am I bothering you because I'm trying to get you to do your job? I've bartended before and you make your money by chatting up your customers, not blatantly ignoring them and then still expecting a 20% tip. The food, while veggie friendly, isn't great or even mediocre. The nachos are swell if you feel like having a heart attack on a plate. Simone's stop hiring jerks who make your customers feel uncomfortable and just want to hit up the liquor store a few doors down for about $30 less.

LaShelle N.

3.5 actually... My husband and I went with some co workers of mine. It was trivia night so fun was had by all. The portobello fries were awesome, grilled cheese sandwhich was deelish! The decor is fun and cool, like a Cheers for the ecclectic vibrant crowd. We definately have to go back! The only thing is parking... arrgh!

Dann B.

I happened in here for lunch one day and was pleasantly surprised. The whole bar is designed to look like a giant pinball machine. All of the booths are made out of old pinball machines. Now here's the big surprise....it's NOT tacky. I actually thought this place had a very cool vibe to it. Dark and playful. Food was nothing to complain about. I love a good french fry medley. I wish I lived closer.

Kim G.

I was desperate for a burger and since this place is right up the street I decided to give it another go. To my surprise, the burger came out cooked perfectly. We also had a pizza that was good. And as always, 4$ drafts. This time I just paid the extra 1$ for all sweet potato fries, they are delicious.

Colin B.

Love this spot! Was lucky enough to attend the "Grand Opening Night" and was pleasantly surprised when I did..... First things, first.....the interior design of the place was an absolute feast for the eyes and the ingenuity that went into the concept of the design was refreshing and gave this spot something that will help it standout from others for a long time to come....the booths on the far side of the bar, where your typical booth wood benches are actually replaced with a bunch of old recycled seat belts was a slick move and provided a unique design element..... But let's not get all focused on the way the place looks...the real gem is the micro-brew list....both on tap and in bottles....ranging from sprecher hefeweizen to darkhorse raspberry to founders dirty bastard to left hand milk stout and juju ginger to rogue hazelnut brown to breckenridge vanilla porter.....the list goes on and on. Have yet to try the food, outside of some of the passed hors' that were going around that night, but when you throw in the top level service that the staff was providing....I have definitely been hooked into a return visit. For those of you outside of the Pilsen neighborhood (like me), splurge with your friends and travel by taxi for a great night out!!!

Matt P.

Great beer selection, awesome buffalo chicken sandwich, super staff ... and really cool layout. Big ups!

Ebonie D.

I like the vibe. Food is mediocre. Had the empanadas wings, and nachos. But beer selection is NICE! Will definitely be back for drinks. Service was interesting, I still left 20% because I don't fail at life. Man I really wanted the food to be better!!!

Sarah L.

My crew was there on Saturday from 7:30PM till close. Decorations were from recycled material from a bowling alley. How creative is that! Go early before 9PM if you don't like crowds or loud DJ music. They play more indie like genre. After that time it's packed and the DJ rocks the house with music that you can't help but move to. No dance floor though. Bartenders were pretty attentive to everyone's needs considering how crowded it was.

Jive S.

The interior of this place is like nothing else in Pilsen and it's chill that this bar exists. Each time I've been in here the music has been on point and it hasn't been too crowded. However, each time me and my gf have gone in here on a whim we have had to wait way too damn long for a drink. In fact, I had to hunt the bartender down more than once to get served... bogus and what 's with the lame glasses you serve Golden Monkey Triple Ale in? Hardly appropriate homies, I want to like this place and it shouldn't be hard for me to. Bartenders please come correct so I can st0p hat1n...

Suzanne E.

Very cozy and laid back on a Sunday winter afternoon and therefore a good place to decompress post Maxwell Street market (the two places are both on the 18th Street bus route). The Cocktail of the Week was an interesting rum and allspice thing, the bartender was charming, and the atmosphere was chill. It's nice to have something open on Sundays on this quiet stretch of the street. The distorting mirror over the bar is a little strange, but I guess it acts as a corrective to the customers' vanity. The bar looks OK in the reflection but the humans at the bar kind of pyramid out, and it takes some getting used to.

Ben S.

Sometimes I feel so lucky to live off of 18th street. Jumping Bean, Nuevo Leon, Honky Tonk BBQ, and Simones means never having to leave the stretch for any meal at any occasion. Simones has excellent food and good beer, and everything is pinball machines and repurposed materials. The empanadas are especially good (black bean and banana is the gf's fave) and there is no dessert like a coconut tres leches cake from Kristoffers at the end of the meal.

Aaron C.

As other's have said - Simone's looks like what people in the 60's thought the bars of the aught's would look like, minus the green women. I can definitely dig that as I dig campy sci-fi. I ended up here on what appeared to be an off night, which was definitely a bonus - as it wasn't crowded at all. The staff were nice enough - attentive and friendly - and the beer list is quite impressive. I had the quesadillas which were tasty and just enough to keep my stomach full but left room for plenty of beer. The tunes could've been quieter, especially for a mid-week night, but I think I'm long out of touch with the hip DJ loving population that (from other reviews) appears to flock here. For now, I'm giving this just three stars as I've only been here once. I plan on going back and hopefully upping the rating - but sometimes things that appear to good to be true are.

M S.

On 1/18/12 at 5:30 pm a friend and I had an early dinner here. She had been here before, but it was my first time. The decor is awsome. But Our server was not attentive, she seemed a bit preoccupied at the bar (talking)!! It was not busy when we were there. My friend and I had ordered an appetizer and when it came she said she'd bring plates, but never did!! My friend asked for a glass of water she never brought it. We had to ask the busy boy and he brought it. I should of left him the tip instead!! She never asked me if I wanted a refill or anything else to drink. Cool place, good food, but bad service!!

Jennifer R.

The ONLY reason this restaurant gets 1 star (as opposed to 0) is because they serve alcohol, and this establishment happens to be in my neighborhood. Other than that- the food is overpriced and just okay. The food (appetizers, chicken sandwich, veggie burger, pizza) is usually cold, flavorless and mediocre at best. As for the service- they keep up an air of fake 'niceness' but in reality, they are snoodie and cater to particular/ regular cliental. But worst of all they are not dog friendly [nor CPS friendly from what the 2011 CORE/ Teacher Union Strike revealed]. Moreover, they change their rules about dogs being allowed on the OUTDOOR patio depending on the dog and its owner. Due to Simone's proximity to my house and convenience, I've had drinks and dinner there many times. Having frequented this establishment over the last several years, I've seen dogs on the patio with no comment from staff. However, once I brought my 20 pound, well behaved dog, who was sitting under the table and then on the sidewalk (technically not on the patio) I was asked to leave (in the middle of dinner). Why? Because dogs are not allowed on the patio. It was a very rude and disrespectful experience and I'm disappointed that this bar/ restaurant (with an outdoor patio) is no longer an option for me or my friends.

Liz Y.

How is it that this place has 4 stars?! I have given this place multiple chances to blow my mind/palette and every single time I'm let down. I love the interior but the food is just whatever. The cook has a very heavy hand with the spices, the meat is not the best quality and unfortunately neither the spices or amount of chili help either cause. Together my husband and I have had on different trips there, the buffalo chicken burger, BBQ chicken pizza, the wings, vege chili all of which were a bit hard to eat as the spices were so over powering it was like eating food covered in vinegar. My husband did enjoy the cheese burger tho and I didn't mind the empanadas tho they are more of a filo pastry, that is slightly under cooked, rather than the traditional term of empanadas. Spending 42 dollars (not including tip) for buffalo wings, a bowl of chili, hummus platter and 2 glasses of wine seems a bit much for a very unsatisfying meal. I really tried to love this place! But now I give up.

Liz O.

I came to Simone's when it first opened and had a great time and thought it was something cool and new in the neighborhood. After time, Simone's has worn on my nerves and I've had a really mixed time. Sometimes the potato pizza is great/other times it is undercooked. Sometimes my drinks are so strong/other times watered down. Sometimes my waiter and I are in love/other times we are going through a tumultuous break up. I still have love for you, Simone's but Skylark has my heart.

nat n.

First what a tease. Beautiful decor all about pin-ball table designs and not a pin-ball game in sight. so i think...this place is pretty but it has no soul. the food is fine...bar food standard. it sorta seems run by TGIF. saturday nights are miserable. its fine in the afternoon and has a decent beer selection. look, i just wont go here. much much much better places in my beloved Pilsen.

Sarah B.

My boyfriend and I stopped in at Simone's last night. I was (admittedly) in a funky mood, and when I walked inside, I suddenly became very cheery. The decor is cool, funky, modern and eclectic and the staff is helpful and patient. The burgers were well seasoned and nicely cooked and I really loved the mixture of sweet potato & regular french fries. Will definitely go back when I'm in the area!

Camille M.

Awesome, awesome place! Great food, great beer. I'm a huge fan!

Calysta L.

I am a little sad that this place didn't exist when I lived in Pilsen, because it is awesome. Cool ass decor with old video game fronts as art. Great drink selection with crafty beers, good wines, and a full bar. My friend ordered the nachos, and they were quite tasty and the portion was large. The vibe is really kicked back and there are lots of knooks and crannies where you can chill out with your friends. Great crowd mix, too.

Bess R.

What a cool bar! I stopped by last week for some daytime drinky, and we sat outside. I did a little spin through the inside though, and it was awesome. I will definitely be back with my ladies in tow. The drinks were great. We only had a veggie appetizer, so I can't really comment on the food. The service was great. Back soon...

Borf B.

They have the best nachos I've had in Chicago. (The rest of their dishes are ok) The interior decor is really rad and they have delicious local beers on tap. You should try it, reader of this review!

Alton D.

I'm sure you've read all the reviews about the recycled decor and the spotty service, that's fine. Here's the secret this is the place to go in Pilsen for day drinking and lunch nosh. If you wanna be "seen" go later but if you want just chill and hang out with cool staff on a like Tuesday afternoon then I highly recommend you come to Simone's. Also say hi to Jason he'll smile at you.

J M.

Great beer list. I had founders dirty bastard scotch ale and stone smoked porter. All the decorations and fixtures made it a great space. We looked at the menu and everything sounded great, but what we ordered turned out to be so-so. Empanadas were pretty good, but I didn't enjoy the black bean plantain one that much. The tuna steak sandwich was not very thick and definitely was not cooked rare. More like medium well sprinkled with some cajun rub. My lady friend's homemade veggie burger was pretty good, but could have used some extra spicing. I don't want to sound like I am ripping this place apart, we had a good time, but next time we might eat beforehand. I would like to go back for their wednesday night 1/2 price wings. Happy that it's close by. Excellent beer and interior space earn all the stars.

Lauren G.

SImone's exceeds expectations! Fun atmosphere, friendly patrons, great place for big groups of friends. There is a tv in the back room, but mostly it's a unique hang-out place.

Meg Z.

Its a very, very different place from brunch to bar close. For brunch, the food was incredible and an excellent selection for vegetarians, though my omnivore friends were also very satisfied. I got the quinoa pizza, and though the texture was a bit weird, it was definitely good weird. For dinner, I tried the vegan burger, which run the risk of being pure cardboard, but this one was PERFECT and put me into one seriously satisfied food coma. Oddly, our bartenders/waitresses at night (who were much busier) were 100x friendlier and attentive than our brunch waiter, who was snippy and made fun of me for not knowing how to pronounce 'quinoa', and only came back our table 2 times even thought the place was fairly dead. If you've only been at night, I suggest going during the day just to see how cool the recycled/found-art interior actually is. Our benches were made of surprisingly-comfy old seatbelts and the whole place was very unique/interesting.

The Noise FM S.

Simone's. The name evokes sensuality, passion, and dare we say a hint of the erotic? We believe the name is of Spanish or even Italian origin, but don't expect to find tapas here -- the menu is decidedly more mainstream. You'll find all the usual "bar-food" options but constructed with an elegant twist. The pizzas intrigued us, especially "Simone's Pizza" (potatoes, parmesan and rosemary simple syrup - an adventurous combination) and the "Quinoa" (an ambitious mix of toasted quinoa, carmelized red onions and avocado - truly a dish for the vegan-heads). Alas, $8 a pie, although a reasonable value, was about $4 too expensive for our unemployed asses. Hawley ordered a caprese salad. A brief but surprisingly hostile debate over the pronunciation of "caprese" quickly ensued. Fortunately, before things turned violent, our bartender stepped in to clear things up. It's pronounced "ca-pree-zay" proving Alex wrong, Hawley right, and Austin indifferent as he claims he "doesn't speak Italian." (After double-checking our bartender's response with Cha Cha, Alex was forced to concede his argument). It must be noted that our bartender diffused the situation in a brisk and diplomatic matter. That's the kind of bar Simone's is - the kind where bartender's know how to pronounce their menu items and aren't afraid to say so. The caprese-zay salad was presented beautifully: a balsamic reduction drizzled over soft buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and succulent tomato. Alex and Austin split an order of 6 empanadas for $9 - just enough to fill their lustful appetites. The empanadas came in an assortment of flavors: spinach artichoke with salsa, chipotle chicken with avocado sour cream and our favorite, the black bean and banana with cranberry aioli. Each empanada was cooked in a flakey, slightly buttery pastry shell, and the insides were each delightfully rich and tender. A day later, the band would unanimously agree that the empanadas were "badass." Oliver did not attend the trip to Simone's due to a generally lethargic attitude. A previous reviewer compared sitting in Simone's to the experience of sitting inside a pinball machine. We can't say we've ever been inside a pinball machine, but we can agree that Simone's gives what is probably a pretty close approximation, albeit a pinball machine that shows "Dawn of the Dead" on a big screen! That's right, folks, while the jukebox played a mix of 60s and 70s garage pop and rock (tastefully hipster, just shy of pretentiously obscure), the big screen above the bar played the original "Dawn of the Dead" with subtitles --a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek counterpoint to the overall classiness of Simone's. With a Sunday night crowd of 30ish people, we were surprised no one in the bar requested to have the channel changed when the zombie headshots started rolling in. And that scene when the cool black dude ominously suggests the pregnant woman have an abortion which he would perform? Again, no one in the bar seemed to mind. Simone's customers are the kind of clientele who are not bothered by such trivialities as zombies and abortions. We exited the bar full, happy and with a new perspective on life. Simone's will do that to you. On a related note, someone we know may have dated a lovely gal named Simone in a short-lived relationship that may have ended in what may have been a mild outbreak of herpes. We guarantee your experience at Simone's Bar will be significantly more enjoyable. Simone's: where the only thing infectious, is a good time!

Jesse B.

Lost with hunger in the South Loop at night, as usual, I ran into a classmate-turned-friend who I had seen earlier typing away on our due-the-next-day papers in the computer lab earlier that afternoon. "What are you doing?" he said, perplexed as to why I was standing stationary on the corner. "I was waiting to see someone I know," I laughed off. "You want to get some food?" I asked. "uh...sure you want to come back to Pilsen, get some food, and then finish our papers?" "Oh man, tonight? I guess I should celebrate Yelp 'review of the day' somehow ryte? Even if it's just getting Mexican food." I knew the majority of my paper had written itself So Me, on the Pink Line to 18th, again. A tamale stand and its hustler of an owner greeted us near the subway after we arrived in Pilsen proper. Eager, my friend decided to purchase a tamale that was wrapped in a bag, surrounded by another bag, protected by a cooler. We stopped by his place to pick up his roommate and prepare for our meal. This took a while and then I became extremely hungry. "let's rock Nuevo Leone dude. I want to try that place," The yelper in my chimed. "No, lets go to Simone's I want to get a drink," said my freshly turned twenty-one chummie. Oh, youth. "You SO go to Columbia College..." he grinned. "Alright dude, do they have good food there? "yeah...I think so." I was too hungry to fight about it. We continued down 18th...should I be suspicious that every other storefront along this street has a 'For Rent' sign in the window? I took down some numbers. You never know. Like a mirage, Wallah: Simone's appeared. Wait a second... are we still in Pilsen? This doesn't look like a Mexican restaurant! We walked in. I accidentally handed the bouncer my key card instead of my ID. Hunger leads to Confusion. He didn't mind. The chick from 'Til Tuesday (A.) greeted me at the door, as I waited for my friend to put his recycled goods in the bins Simone's all eco-friendly like keep in the back. I noticed Freddie Mercury in his pilot leather outfit (B.) chillin' at one of the comfortable looking tables oddly placed around the mysterious design of Simone's that creates the illusion of a ship at sea. When comrade and his roomie finally dropped off their garbage, we began to walk to our shipwrecked table (TimeOut!) I've just seen a face I can't forget the time or place: Lady Stardust decked out in a blue leopard spotted outfit smiled sweetly at me. She wasn't smiling at me because she thought I was attractive - no girl who wears her clothing that tight thinks I'm cute - she was sweetly grinning because she recognized me from my yelp ROTD earlier that day. (well, one can dream...) Anne P. noted: "Decor: Looks like the set of Blade Runner". If Mad Max happened to strike gold, he would eat here. It doesn't take long to realize that Simone's is where all the white people living in Pilsen go for a sit-down styled bar/eatery with superb service. The crew here are apparently sick of Mexican food, for the menu is not even a bastardization or even TexMex, it's simply bar food with an edge. At first a bit frustrated I came all this way craving carne asada but finding nothing but the common - it hit me. A burger? Well...that's American food ryte? I'm supposed to be writing a paper about American fast-food, so why not get in the mood by eating a hamburger? Epiphany! The model waitress in the leopard spotted blue smiled sweetly again as she passed by to check on us, so I put a grin on my face, forgot about the sizzling fajitas plate and ordered the quintessential American dish - a hamburger and fries. My dinning mates ordered beer and fried portabella mushrooms. Reminiscent of tempura, fried mushrooms are the closest thang my vegetarian friends could get to greasy delight - what bar food is apparently all about. As the beer and the grease took my friends to another level I boldly decided to test my luck with the lady in blue as she was not our waitress. The abrupt eye contact bewildered me and I swiftly dove into the fresh bathroom at Simone's. The incessant melody of Nightclubbing by Iggy Pop blared (C) A bit cliché, yes however no song could better suite while I washed my hands. Out came my food. H8 to admit, it was the most boring burger of my existence. It was a hamburger, and strictly that. I had to take off the bun and eat the lonesome patty. Flaccid comes to mind. And I stayed that way, for after blue leopard spotted knew she wasn't serving me, she knew no tips from this mustached young man would be coming her way. I admit I didn't get the full Simone's experience, being that I chose no to the intriguing beer menu. Still, Simone's def reminded me of my ritzy days full of the beautiful people. On the Pink Line home I got a text from my schoolmate that read: "There was a cat fang in my tamale." (A. tiny.cc/tilltuesday ) (B. last.fm/music/Freddie+Me… ) (C. tiny.cc/nightclubbing )

John W.

The decor is retro-cyberpunk, the food is cheap and delicious, and the special cocktails tend towards savory. It's perfect.

Susan K.

I'm pretty disappointed with this place. Believe me, I approached it with an open heart, I really wanted to like it. Its two blocks from my house for gods sake, do you know how convenient it would be to have this be my hang out? I could stumble home drunk from here safely, if only I could afford to get drunk here. Simone's single biggest nameable flaw is that they don't have a good cheap beer on tap. Sometimes you just want to guzzle something that tastes like piss, costs the same as bus fare, and takes the edge off the day. Unfortunately they choose to stock their cheap beer in cans which makes it actually genuinely taste like piss (instead of that figure of speech we use for the light tasteless beer we all secretly love) and they charge you exorbitantly for it. I really do admire the commitment to artisan beers that they have. However, they should have then had a similar commitment to hiring or training their employees in discussing these beers with customers that have questions about them. Simones bar is a Frankenstein of elements that could all work well, but not with each other. Loud dance music does not match with booth seating, artisan beer, and no dance floor. This place tries to provide everything and in doing so gives you nothing: no relaxation, no good place for conversation, no place for entertainment to set up at, no place to dance. It has beautiful interior decor going for it and that is about it....sadly, even this pastiche of graffito-recycled-mystery science 3000-esqueness does not save this bar from being soulless and misdirected.

Lakshmi R.

Keep moving, there's nothing special here. They have gluten-free beer, which is cool, but I didn't find the bar's ambience especially compelling. Actually, it was annoying. Terrible DJ. Atrocious service: we had trouble finding the server more than once and later I heard (since I left before my other friends) that it took them so long to find her when they were ready to pay the bill that they had to enlist the help of another server to find her. Fries were good but.... meh. Pilsen has much more to offer than this.

Michael L.

Everything is good at Simone's. Laid-back atmosphere. Top-notch bar food. Companions ordered nacho appetizers. I NEVER eat nachos, bec l am a healthy eater. I ate these and they were GREAT--light, delicious, not greasy, perfect spicyness. Portobello sandwich was equally great and went really well with the India Pale Ale, one among the interesting beer selection. One YELPer wrote "too many hipsters," but my 22-year old stepdaughter says that this is not a hipster place, and she's the expert on hipsterism. Also, the entire place is made from recycled materials--an eco-plus. Definitely try SImone's.

Gfiddy F.

Outrageously good pizza and excellent beer.

Stephanie S.

I went to their page to revise a previous review only to realize I hadn't reviewed it yet! A few months ago, I would've given Simone's a solid four star review. I live two blocks away, and I love that it's close by. The food never disappoints. The decor is super fun. I come here regularly (sometimes once per week), and I bring family and friends here. Over the past month or two, the service has really started to annoy me. There's always been hipsters behind the bar who judge your drink order or are a little apathetic, but it's been bordering on rude and combative recently. To the point that I'm not going back for a while. My husband and I stopped by last week, and the bartender was annoyed that he even had to serve us. It's like he was putting in the minimal effort necessary so he could go to the other side of the bar and smoke his electronic cigar (an e-cig in itself is an issue - I don't care if it's electronic, you shouldn't be doing that on your shift, you know, when you're like, getting paid to give people things they put in their mouth). We barely stated our orders before he told us to pay up, nevermind that we were planning on ordering food and having more drinks. This is only the most recent instance. Shit like this happens almost every time I'm here. I can probably count on two fingers the number of times I've had good service. I even wrote an email to management about it and got no response. Sorry, Simone's, but we'll be taking a break until you get your act together. I'm local. I give these people business. I'm a friendly customer and a decent tipper. Maybe treat me like I matter? UPDATE: After I wrote this review, two managers contacted me to discuss the situation and offer us a gift certificate. So I appreciate that. But everything else still stands.

Zorin D.

I have to say I enjoyed my experience very much here. I came here trying to soak up the last bit of that pre-fall outside time before it got too cold but it turned out to be too cold on that Sunday afternoon when I stopped by here. Still, meeting up with my friends for drinks, they also had some good options to hold me over on my completely empty stomach. The portabella fries were great and a very memorable dish. It was one of those things that you feel man I wish I would have thought of that. The thinly sliced portabella mushrooms had this beautifully crisp texture on the outside with a nice tender earthy mushroom on the inside. I also tried the mixed fries which is ingenious as it helps you to not be undecided between the regular and sweet potato fries. It recreates that magic feeling you get when you have that one lonely fry in the middle of your onion rings and multiples it fifty fold. Also the chipotle ketchup and maple aoili for dipping boldly compliment the crisp fries. The price is really good considering I had 5 drinks and two appetizers for $50 tip included.

Kathleen C.

Ok, I will say that the bartender here was so nice! She was pointing out all of the cool features of the space (which were admittedly, really neat and interesting). I wouldn't go to Pilsen specifically to go to this bar, but it was a good spot for a drink. However, I think there are other cute spots really near here that I might go to first. Rumor has it that the food is good, though, so perhaps a great spot for happy hour.

Lauren F.

This is one funky little bar and a great place to stop in for a drink in Pilsen.

John N.

Wow! Not since the Real World dared set up shop in Wicker Park have Chicago's hip elite been this perturbed and united! I suppose I was, too, kind of, at first. Then I actually paid a visit. Very good beer list. The inside of the place is really nice --sprawling, dimly-lit, comfortable layout that flows perfectly, making the three spacious areas that comprise the place seem cozy. The chandelier in the back room, especially, is gorgeous --right out of a Tim Burton movie. Other aspects of the place seem reminiscent of Fallout 3. Simone's is the product of the same people responsible for Street Side, Logan and Northside bars, but this time they've abandoned the formula (i.e., simply sticking a generic box in a rapidly gentrifying area) and created one of the best looking bar interiors in the city. Unfortunately, the food isn't similarly inspired. It's good --decent bar fare; but nothing special. Just burgers, nachos (ours came out cold), some flat bread pizzas, etc. (as some other reviewers have noted the "Pilsen Burger" --which sports jalapenos and guacamole --is absurdly named, and the Pilsen Pizza --refried beans and pico de gallo! --just sounds gross). It's a shame, because a space this unique deserves food to match. Also, the service borders on what you'd expect at the Heartland Cafe. And yeah, the place is a little cold of heart, and overtly corporate, especially in its efforts not to appear to be (see: stupid YouTube vids on the bar's webpage). Still, Simone's has a lot going for it. Had it opened in the South Loop, or River West or someplace like that, it simply would've generated chatter for being a trendy new spot with a vaguely post-apocalyptic chic feel. But because it opened in the Pilsen, it's the most controversial new bar in Chicago. Which, really, is retarded. People who dis this place just because it dared open its door in "your" neighborhood: Ya pissed about Pilsen getting gentrified? Go commiserate with the Mexicans *you* displaced/are in the process of displacing, who can go commiserate with the Bohemians *they* displaced, and y'all can go cry with the Potawatomi, who *really* ought to be pissed. And everyone go read "Tavern Turnover," Peter Bagge's classic essay about this American middle class cultural phenomena of hand wringing that accompanies the gentrification of neighborhoods and/or their bars: suck.com/daily/2001/02/16 You want to be pissed about neighborhood change worthy of you scorn and energy, turn your attention to eminent domain and its abuse. And btw, who the fuck is "Simone?" At least make a Hollister-style fake history for her and post it on yr website, sheeesh.

Frankie B.

Meh! Just another bar trying to fit in a neighborhood that it shouldn't be in. Really nothing to write home about and one or two of the bartenders are rude. I live blocks away (have my whole life), and would rather go elsewhere. Too many yuppies and hipsters. Trust me, there are better places. It takes more than fancy schmancy decor to make a good place.

Katie M.

Is it possible to love a bar but hate the drinks? I loved this bar - it's cool and the waitress we had was great! The mixed speciality drinks on the other hand...well, they were pretty strong! Now, I'm no lightweight or anything like that but these drinks were so strong that I couldn't finish. I ordered the pisco sour and it was bad but I really wanted to give this place a fair shot so I ordered the Sarsaparilla and it was all Sas and no parilla. Seriously. I switched to wine and was happy for the rest of the night. I'd go back-maybe it was just an off night for the bartender.

Felicia Y.

My favorite foodie group of 4 highly evolved intellects with savvy palates chose Simone's for our (almost) monthly gathering. We look for affordable eats with flavor and flair to suit our discriminating tastes and our limited budgets. Simone's Bar has a Sunday brunch that worked perfectly. Excellent service that didn't change color when we decided to stick around for an hour after paying. The decor is an urban explorer's dream, with booths fashioned out of old seat belts (which was much enjoyed by my bum), and a bar made from a bowling alley lane and countless other elements derived from architectural excavation. Environmentally friendly! I ordered the special bloody mary and everyone else got mimosas. Always the oddball. But when our drinks arrived, the oddball was the object of Biblical coveted...ness. Next to their elegant and surely delicious mix of champagne and freshly-squeezed OJ (no one offered me a sip - boooo!) sat my behemoth bloody mary, homemade with no mix, nice and spicy, topped with not only a stuffed olive dusted with celery salty goodness, but also a rolled slice of fruity cheese and a large, triangular parmesan crispy cracker thing. It was an appetizer laced with booze! My favorite. AND it came with a "sidecar" of complementary beer! For $7.50, same price as the mimosa, so I believe mine was the better deal. Unless you hate bloody mary's. But then you suck. I will say that halfway through it (which takes me about 3.2 seconds flat), the mary became less bloody and more sedimentary, so next time I will just drink it faster. Two of us ordered the breakfast croissant off of the brunch menu and two of us ordered burgers. Mine was the Pilsen burger with jalapenos, guacamole, and some fancy cheese. I loved the fact that the jalapenos, were FRESH, and thick-sliced rather than those rancid, flimsy pickled kinds that one fishes out of a jar. The guacamole was good not stellar, and the burger overall was good not stellar. The fries came with a mix of the regular and sweet potato variety. Very good. Everyone else enjoyed their food and I noticed that the breakfast croissants came with super thinly sliced hashbrowns but again, no one offered me a taste! Rude. I digress. I'll definitely be back to Simone's to try the dinner menu and this time, I'll just grab food off of everyone else's plate so if that bothers you, you might want to decline my invitation. If you get one.

Happy Mama M.

Good food, fun atmosphere, good crowd. I recommend it.

Cristina A.

Love going here during the week. Thursday nights are my 1st choice. The weekends? Too packed if you ask me. Diverse crowd. Thats always refreshing. Good beer, good food and great wine. Great atmosphere...

erin k.

great beer list. really great, with knowledgeable servers to make suggestions (okay, to be fair my server was knowledgeable, i can't swear that they all are) a pretty standard menu, so something for everyone and nothing insane. okay, i heard that the blue cheese stuffed simone's burger is insanely good, and i really like the sweet potato/regular fries mix that comes with the sandwiches. and the fact that the grilled cheese comes with tomato soup makes me happy. because grilled cheese should always come with tomato soup. i would have given it five stars if i had gotten sit by the fireplace. (they're my stars. i can give them out for whatever reasons i choose!)

Kevin G.

there goes the neighborhood. my friend and i usually go to skylark, and yesterday i finally gave into her constant imploring to try simone's instead because "the food is waaaaaaaaay better and they have soooooooooo many beers". neither of these were true. 1 star for the portobello fries which were greasy but delicious, 1 star for the decor; management's heart is in the right place with all the salvaged and recycled stuff and the hipster day-of-the-dead images, but overalll the feel of the place is really corporate and sterile rather than fun. i had a really uninspiring cheeseburger, and though they did have a *fairly* good beer selection, the prices for almost everything were WAY too high. also, what the fuck kind of bar charges you to TASTE a beer? the real killer for me, however, was the fact that this place employs a server who doesn't know a thing about any of the beers offered; our server thought that bells oberon was a "light lager" and "not that good". totally not worth the hype.

Alison R.

Great options for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. This is a really cool-looking restaurant in a great location. It's usually relatively crowded. The outdoor seating area is awesome and a lot of fun in the summer. The burgers are just average, but anything without meat (veggie burgers, etc.) is exceptional. It's a really good vegetarian restaurant that also serves average food for a meateater.

Luis C.

Very cool place...looks a little rough around the edges but its just for show...the ambience is biker bar like but the people are hipsters who are non pretentious.....the bartender who was working the night i went on was very helpful...you will need a menu to order a beer because they only serve micro brews.....i thought i wouldnt need a menu until i noticed that they specialize in beers ive never heard of...the waitress was helpful though and very easy on the eyes...i tried the artichoke dip..very tasty..others around me had fries which looked delicious...i only wish they had some televisions for sporting events but alas its not a sports bar...its still a nice joint though...

Stephen G.

Food and drinks were tasty and nicely priced. The vibe is hip. For those in the south loop that want to enjoy a cooler atmosphere while still keeping it close to home, Simon's (mystery woman) is great! I hope it doesn't get too popular.

michelle g.

I don't know if its me but ..... the decor is awsome but the service kinda sucks the wait staff is just too cool the food is alright a very watered down mexican style/ bar food not impressed. The beer is the only plus after a few you begin not to care about service and anything tastes good when your drunk..... my suggestion go there and drink as fast as you can or go there loaded

C W.

Meh, way too crowded (but I guess it was opening night). Will need to come back when things die down--although the graffiti-and-pinball frankendecor made me dizzy, the beer selection and burgers looked good. Thank god I don't have to trek to Rodan for Hitachino white ale anymore...but who knows if I'll feel the same way after my second visit.

Kristen B.

Simone's is my favorite bar in Pilsen, one place where the hipsters can feel comfortable in this "changing" neighborhood. My favorite dish here is the black bean and banana empanadas. There is simply nothing better. Pair that with a Chocolate Double Stout and you are SET! They have tons of great artisan beers. So do your worst. Sometimes I go grab bag, and let them pick for me. Never been disappointed. It gets crowded on the weekend, so don't try to go in there solo dolo, cuz you will be like Rodney Dangerfield, gettin' NO RESPECT. Mob mentality rules there. But on a quiet, pensive Sunday afternoon, you can surf the web and thrive in peace :) Bottom Line :: Simone's Bar is a gem in Pilsen UPDATE 6/14/2012 :: Seriously, I had the worst service experience in a long time there recently due to bartender Erin S. (so bad, I had to check the receipt). I don't know if we were bothering her, you know, at her job, but we waited at least 10 minutes while sitting at the bar for her to even walk over and give us a menu...which by the way we didn't even need because we only wanted beers. But when it was time for us to order, she basically was like, "oh, I have people over here" and when my partner gave her a minor side-eye, she suddenly got her act together and came to bring us our check. The real reason this sucks is because we were simply killing time til the 18 bus came, so we didn't have to spend money there at all, but we like Simone's so much, we figured it'd be a great way to relax before we made our next stop. We really could've done without spending our money just to feel like an inconvenience. Simone's...you've changed. And NOT for the better.

Margaret M.

I visited Simone's this past Saturday and was pleasantly surprised! We got there around 10pm and found a table very easily and ordered food. The sweet potato fries were fantastic as well as the fried mushrooms. My hubby who's a beer drinker really enjoyed the variety of beers. I ordered one of their specialty cocktails (interesting cocktail menu) that made my head spin...hence the name "the omen". We had a great time! It started getting packed around 1am..which was around the time we left. The only con I would say is the music....it was extremely strange. I consider myself pretty open minded when it comes to music, but at one point it sounded like I was at a funeral and than all of a sudden they threw in some classic rock...?!? I enjoyed my visit and will return but maybe on a Thursday night.

Rachel S.

I've lived in Pilsen for several years and I was SO excited to see a place like Simone's open up. Very cute decor. Lots of seating (although beware that it gets VERY crowded, and loud, Friday and Saturday nights.) Food is better than typical bar cuisine. Personally, I'm a fan of the tomato soup, grilled cheese, and french/sweet potato fries. Lots of craft beers. I like the "TVs" that play black and white silent movies that entertain and decorate without becoming a distraction.

stephanie F.

I checked out this place yesterday for it's grand opening. First of all I must say walking it it is a pretty cool. There is plenty of seating, and they have a fireplace that you can sit by, which seemed cool. My friends and I ordered appitizers. We had the nachos with beef, chicken tenders and french fries. I must say all the food was excellent. I was a little caught off gaurd by their selection of beer. They don't serve any commerical beer. So if your a beer person be ready to try something new. I had a drought beer which turned out to be pretty good. The service was good our waitress was tentative, and she also made sure to let us know that she wasn't rushing us out, which was cool. The reason I took away a star is because, I feel like they should have had some kind of special considering it was their opening day. I didn't expect anything free, but maybe half off appetizers, or something of the sort. Another thing, we saw who we assumed to be the owner walking around greating his guest, and he just skipped us. There was also a woman walking around doing the same, when we were ready to ask for the check she finally came around to our table after passing us up plenty of times. She asked us what we ordered and just walked away. Which was kind of strange, she didn't try to make conversation, thank us for coming or anything. I will be back, considering this is within walking distance for us, but it will be a while.

Van D.

Funky cool decor makes you feel comfortable. Food is above average for bar food. Staff very friendly (and cute if you care). Definitely a great neighborhood hang out bar

a d.

Ok Yelpers, let me start off with this is a BAR. Not a Club, Restaurant, or Lounge. I was so worried about this place and went last night with my wife. We live in the South Loop and absolutely loved this place. Who cares it has pinball machine lights or some odd/ends as decorations. Its a bar, did you want a stale place with budweiser signs? C'mon get with the program. Their beer selection is excellent, its spacious and has a good diverse crowd. I would not tell someone to drive 10 miles to get there, but if you live within a couple miles, you would be a fool not to come here one evening. We did not eat, but its a bar so what the heck are you looking for other than burgers, pizza, and apps. I think the reviews are all very conservative Chicago people (I'm born/raised here for over 30 years) that are scared by a few odd things on the walls. Who cares, its fun to look at and different. Go check out Reggies bar in the South Loop as well if you like this place. Great job to Pilsen and Simone's. We will be back for drinks soon. They had a DJ on a Wednesday NIght playing some funky music. I'm a sports freak and was actually fine with no sports on the TVs. You actually enjoy your company even more.

Kathryn G.

We were here for my husband's birthday and had a great time. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some great and very interesting drinks as well as some good apps. The music was great, crowd was diverse and friendly and the place itself is fun just to look at. Many nooks and crannies to explore. We will be back.

Ryan K.

I went to have lunch/dinner for the third time at Simone's today. Casey (deeply apologetic if I butchered the spelling of your name!) was my server for the second time. She is delightful, like receiving an unexpected parcel in the mail. I have yet to go to Simone's after 7pm, so I have no idea what kind of atmosphere it provides beyond that time. This place is fairly new and it is immediately intriguing once you walk in through the front door. The bar is immediately on your left, and a few booths are on your right. The decor is unexpected and the seats of the booths are in fact, vintage seatbelts. The lights above the booths are softly diffused with a creative material that looks suspiciously like fabric. The music played has a huge range. One can hear everything from ethereal Pink Floyd tunes to the often melancholy Postal Service during your visit. The food is beyond reasonable for what you get. I have tried something different each time and I have not been disappointed. The food is cheap, delicious and fresh. It's rare to find a joint that actually serves crisp lettuce, or creamy, green avocados. The meals are simplistic and full of flavor. The menu is not exceptionally vast like the novellas that exist at so many other joints, but it makes up for that with quality. I haven't tried anything from the bartender, so...I will leave that for someone else to review. I really like the bathrooms too. They are clean and have an interesting sense of humor as the walls are chalkboard, and sometimes....you can find a piece of chalk in order to scribe whatever is on your mind. I am glad I live in the neighborhood!

Ryan P.

very cute. (altho a tad over designed inside.) yummy treats on the menu. i got the mustard chicken sandwich on a pretzel roll -delicious! my friends got chilaquiles and the pilsen burger - both very tasty. the sweet potato fries are crispy and amazing, they come with a super tasty lemon aioli and a honey aioli. i say go. the service is whatever, but what did you expect?

Rene R.

This place is really cool and a great time, they have swing dancing! Good food and really nice eclectic collection of beers if your up to trying something different. I love the fact they are a one of the great examples that restaurants and new homes need to look toward in the reuse of materials and self sufficient energy they have their own root top garden utilize solar power and in addition to all these great things their decor is pulled from an old bowling alley which make it so interesting every which direction you turn you see the influences. They have this bad ass chandelier that hangs in the back and whom ever put that bad boy together props to you that is an amazing sculpture.

Tim P.

Simone's was suprisingly interesting and fun. Last night we stopped in for dinner and a beer. Over all, the style, the decor, the music (live DJ), the service, and the food was out of sight. I can't say the same about the beer, but it was the luck of the draw. I had a spricher hefeweizen which the server said was a weiss beer. The taste was not what I was expecting. Once I complimented it with the Pilsen burger, a cheeseburger with avacado and jalapenos, I found that it was not too bad. I can't fault the place for my bad call, I tasted the darkhourse rasberry and that was good. So was the chocolate beer, although it was really heavy. Also the hummus was amazingly good. I think there was a hint of lime in it, which was a pleasant suprise. You may want to check how many slices of pita you get, because we got 5 or six slices and that wasn't enought for 4 people to enjoy. Good place, we'll have to go back again, I want to try that tres leches dessert.

Rudy S.

Went to this place for brunch. immediately loved the decor, our sassy server and the beer selections. i have to come back at night sometime soon and check out the scene. Great music in the background - indie vibe and Verve remix music. A little out of the way for me, but if i'm ever downtown or in Chinatown looking for some nightlife. i'll suggest this place. Chilaquiles for brunch are awesome here as is the service.

Justin H.

I like Simone's, but I'm not sure if it is just because I have a second option for a decent beer in the hood. The bartenders are not as fat as at the Skylar and the doorman much less accommodating, but they have some good beers and a great room. I really hate the food. If you are going to make an empanada in Pilsen make it the best. These limp, lifeless things are not worth a dime. I like the fries. I ordered the fish and chips a few weeks back and got maybe 3oz. of fish. It made me sad. My friend ordered 3 of them just to get to a satisfying fish level. I think that if they hired a decent cook/chef to help whip the kitchen into shape it would get my extra star. My new Simone's modo is go for a drink and get food elsewhere. Sorry guys, if you need help with the menu I'll help for free.

Josh K.

Pilsen now has its own Applebees! You can probably see the direction this review is going. Yeah, Simone's has a lot of good beers, draft and bottle. But please - a "Pilsen Burger?" Guess what, it's topped with jalapenos, guacamole and chihuahua cheese. I guess if it has guacamole on it, and chihuahua cheese, then they've really captured the local Mexican flavor and handed it back to us with a $9 price tag. Maybe each "Pilsen burger" could be delivered to my table by an authentic, local "Pilsen resident?" Same goes for the Pilsen pizza: topped with refried beans & ground beef. I'm sorry, but that... is disgusting. I haven't even begun. Simone's is the definition of a place that tries too hard. There are the stenciled, well-endowed male/female graphics on the restroom doors (when I was there, a guy was bragging to a girl about how he'd designed them - congratulations, you put an erection on a blue oval and called it a "design"). There is the oddly Asian-themed corner that jumps out of place even in the mind-numbing electro-pinball ridiculousness that is the rest of the establishment. Oh yes - the pinball. Pinball kitsch everywhere and not an authentic machine in sight, not one you could play, I mean. The DJ booth (yes) is elevated five or six feet, caged in, and surrounded with faux-pinball tables. And the music wasn't good enough for him to be on that pedestal. The bad graffiti art on the walls that screams, "Pilsen has murals! Can we do that here?!?" The chemistry-set rear bar. The bartenders and serving staff that all look like they dropped straight out of the most recent Urban Outfitter's catalog. And the bartender gave the wrong change - twice - and seemed puzzled when I pointed it out to him. It wasn't even close. I understand that Pilsen could use a Skylark alternative. But this isn't it. This place is mash-up hell, and it's no fun. It didn't appear that many others thought so either, as I was there on a Second Friday Arts District night, probably the busiest night in this part of town, and the place was certainly not packed. Food is lame, atmosphere is absolutely awful. One star for the beer selection. That's it.

Erin M.

Everytime I come here, the food is outstanding and so is the beer selection! Plus got to love the decor! Keep up the great work!

Jennifer R.

Such a great drink list, wine menu and food. I love the place and live nearby, but I simply can't handle how extremely loud the music is at night. I see a ton of live music and like loud bars as much as the next person, but the volume is seriously enough to keep me away from the only bar within walking distance of my house.

valerie h.

I am in love with Simone's Bar!!! The decor is awesome! Food, outstanding! Beer list even better! 'bout time, Pilsen.

Clara P.

Fun place to hang out with friends!!! This place has a unique selection of beer and the raspberry flavored beer is my fave. Food is quite good as well.

Jordan V.

bloody mary: tastes like pasta sauce. mimosa: i hear they use better champagne than nightwood. bartender: friendly, but hates to shop.

Rob L.

I've heard so many mixed things about this bar, read so many mixed things about this bar, I was very curious about what I was going to experience. Recycled material used through out? Busy, crazy designs? Funky menu? Yeah... I could see that... Walking in, it does seem a bit crazy. Across the bar, you have lit up pinball facades, glitzy, metallic designs, but really, it isn't too busy that I am just going to stare and get distracted by it after ten minutes. Unless I don't like you. Then again, if I didn't like you why would I be hanging out with you? I digress... As we wondered around the back and around the corner, (and no, not through the woods and over the bridge because we weren't going to grandmother's house), we found a cozy little spot in the back. Our sever greeted us with a friendly smile and three menus. We looked over and pondered our choices, more than once, nay twice, nay thrice was it said, "Ooooo I want that!" "That looks good." "Double bubble?" "Rim of pop rocks!?" We ordered a round of drinks, I had a Sarsaparilla, vanilla, vodka, root beer, cream tasty and this wasn't too weak of a drink here partner. Dag nabbit it was pertty tasty too! (and yes that was my best impression of frontier gibberish). The double bubble with its infusion of vodka, champagne and yes, that infamous rim of pop rocks did bubble your mouth a bit as well as tantalize your taste buds. Plenty of choices to drink. Liquor is quicker but not your thing? Perhaps try one of their several wines or maybe a well crafted beer. Tummy's a rumblin'? Their menu looked to have some interesting choices, including a handful of empanadas, (woo hoo!!), but alas, this was a preliminary stop before our dinner and our timing was off and we had to rush off to dinner. Sadly leaving our half drunk drinks at the table... with one of the girl's boyfriends to finish and wait for his friend. Lucky guy. To be honest, it really was an all too short trip. A mere glancing blow, but the impression that was taken away was a good one. Although, it is a bit of a trip, I hope to meander back to Pilsen to give it a few full rounds to give a complete impression. Service was great. The decor is cool, recycled materials, yes, like seats belts, but it is fun and interesting. It gives a different feel to the neighborhood, but I'm from the northside, perhaps that is why I like it. I just think its an interesting concept and worthwhile to check out and hope to get a better chance to do so soon.

Gail T.

there are two types of people. those who LOVE simone's and those who HATE it. if you love it you'll say, "it's big, it looks expensive, there's techno and it's a perfect place to have a corporate event." if you hate this place, you'll say, "it's big, it looks expensive, there's techno and it's a perfect place to have a corporate event." actual quotes from the night: "could i actually work here? i would make a lot of money. that'd be awesome. i'd just have to sacrifice my morals." "this place sucks" "it's not cozy at all" "this is not what i expected" "there's a very diverse group in here. but they don't seem to be meshing" "this place is nice, but it's just filled with douchebags." "where did all these people come from"--"they took a shuttle bus from lincoln park" "i feel like i'm on the north side" don't shoot the messenger, just relaying the people's words. the website boasts to have some cultural events in the back room, but i see nothing cultural back here. danny's: cool. northside bar and grill: not cool. streetside: not cool. logan bar and grill: especially not cool. but if you LOVE those places, this place is perfect for you. if you HATE those places, don't go here; go to skylark. simone's ain't got nothing on the skylark. and note to busboys: stop fondling my beer. i will leave it at the edge of the table when i'm done with it. one star for greg the bartendar. another star for a second chance. ****update**** minus one star for russ g, the "partner", who boasts about love and tolerance, but is just a jerk. sorry greg, you were really cool, but you won't be seeing me there again. ***also, sitting at efebos and overheard from a RANDOM STRANGER this: "we went into simone's the other night, and walked straight out and straight into skylark"***-just the messenger.

Joyce P.

I was so impressed with every aspect of Simone's. I went there for lunch this past week and am certain to become a regular customer. The food was excellent. The group I was with ordered everything from salads (which were fabulous), chicken, hamburger, soup, appetizers (all equally delicious) and a scrumptious dessert. We could not find even one thing to complain about. We are a group that has been to all of Chicago's top restaurants, and for casual dining (sans beer & drinks), Simone's is right up there. Truly a find. P.S. From the outside you might hesitate to go in - or even pass it by - but do not let that deter you. The interior is 100% environmentally green. For example, tables are old tables from science labs or bowling alleys, the doors are from former office buildings, the lighting fixtures are creatively made from bottles and other recycled materials. It's like going to a museum!

Drew F.

Pilsen was crying for a place like Simone's and now we have it, food and staff are great. Andy the Bartender and the GM are awesome and good people, it's a few blocks from my home and I would drink here everyday if I could. My only problem is the beer price's, that other Pilsen bar and people who live in Pilsen know what I mean is about $1 cheaper. Ya call me a cheap ass, I understand everybody has to make money. It will not stop me from supporting my Local watering hole.

Chella G.

Simone's, I've been awaiting your arrival since last summer when I was headed to the farmers market and saw the signs in your window. I couldn't wait to check out the new bar and that amazing beer selection I found on the website. When I finally got the email that the grand opening was near, I was really excited! The fella and I walked (a bar so close that we can walk!) over for dinner last night and started off with some Three Floyds GumballHead and Sprecher Hefeweizen. Any bar that doesn't serve Miller Lite is perfect by me. They do have $2.50 Old Style and PBR tallboys for anyone so inclined. Then, lo and behold, here comes Denise P., so we shared a table, LOTS of delicious food and great conversation. I'll let her tell you about the nachos! I will say that my burger was good enough to entice me eat meat, which rarely happens. I had a side of veggies instead of fries and the boyfriend had the Pilsen burger. Holy jalapeno! The decor is great, the menu is quirky with lots of good vegan and vegetarian options, and I love that it feels like you've stepped into a pinball game. The music was also great--not too loud. They were even playing Glasvegas! My favorite part is that Simone's feels like the kind of bar that welcomes everyone, without that condescending attitude you get at other places. I saw all sorts of people enjoying good food, great beer and the company of friends. I'm proud to live in a neighborhood as diverse as Pilsen and this bar reflects that. As a beer girl, I have made it my new objective to try every beer on Simone's menu. Well, it's time to stop writing and start drinking... See you soon, Simone.

Maura S.

Good beer, atmosphere, and staff. Ordered a "grab bag beer" for four dollars and was happy with it. Also, the sweet potato fries were delicious.

Grace L.

The staff is really nice and the selection of booze and food are good. The feel of the place and the price of the drinks is what I am not comfortable with. Not to mention my drink order was done wrong the first time I was there, but like I said the staff was very kind and replaced our drinks for the correct ones. Don't get me wrong I think you all should try it out and make your own judgments of this place. I think it'll eventually rub off on me but it's not one of my favorite places.

Susanna W.

I went to this place for the first time last night. They were packed, and completely understaffed, making the service horrible. The appetizers we ordered were delicious, it just took about 45 minutes to get anyone's attention to actually order them. Our waitress (who was obviously swamped, it probably wasn't her fault) came to our table only 3 times in the course of a few hours. We almost walked out without paying our tab because we did not see her for so long, then when she finally brought the bill, it took another half an hour for her to pick them up and bring a receipt. It may be a fine bar, but based on my first experience there, I won't be going back anytime soon.

Nicole C.

Simone's is the new lounge (bar/restaurant) in Pilsen by the same owners of Danny's in Wicker Park. I went last night with friends for dinner and drinks after Second Fridays. I LOVED the rosemary and potato pizza and the nachos were yummy. We sat in the back room at a high-top near the bar. The music was good, the service was quick and attentive, and the food and drinks were good. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the neighborhood .

Raul B.

I was in Pilsen for the Fiesta del Sol and meet up with friends here for pre-drinks before we walked to the festival. First off its been a while since I have been in Pilsen and I cant believe how much this neighborhood is changing and this bar signifies that Pilsen is the new Wicker Park. I do love the interior decorations and its actually bigger on the inside than I realized. They have a great selection of beers and our waitress was really nice. I did not try the food because why would I have bar food when I can go down the street and have some home made carnitas and tortillas. We were there in the afternoon and the atmosphere was very relaxing with Rodan showing on the vintage looking screens over the bar. I did have a non-beer drink and tried out their Bloody Mary which was fantastic and probably one of the best I have ever tasted.

Tony P.

Nothing but good things about this place. Great value, great service, great atmosphere. And, they have outdoor seating, which is a great addition to almost any bar. Some people might not like the 'alternative'/grunge-type atmosphere, but it works. Oh, and the music is pretty good too. Definitely worth checking out.

alicia g.

I loved this place! Awesome service, and super awesome food. I really loved the mexican grilled chicken sandwich with salsa mayo and sweet potato fries. Large portions for only $8! Also, the decor in here is great, pinball machines everywhere!

Amy H.

This place was pretty impressive. Large space with 2 bars. The front was busier and the back was a bit more chill with tables. I loved the art displayed. The door guy was so sweet and personable, and our server was just as great. The food was delicious. We tried the duck pizza that was on special, which I can honestly say I wouldn't normally try but it was soooo good! We also had the sweet potato fries and they were equally tasty. The night I was there they had a grab bag drink special where you pay 3.50 for any of their discontinued drinks. All of my surprise drinks were great. I will definitely go back to this pilsen treasure!

Jim B.

I have gone back to Simone's many times since my first review and the food and different beers have kept me coming back, as well as it being walking distance from my apartment. Friday and Saturday nights are crazy busy and loud, but new experienced servers and having tried different things on the menu has made it well worth it, Pabst tall boys did go up by $.50, ugh!! Brunch on Sunday is fun and busy as well, sitting outside is always nice. It has been nice for the summer, but I'll wait to see what the fall/winter is like because it doesn't have a warm coziness to it that I like, such as Skylark does, at least as a bar.

Jason G.

This is possibly my new favorite local spot. Great service. The waitstaff were accommodating towards are 1 year old. The beer selection is pretty good. The food is awesome and fairly priced. The feel of the place is pretty laid back. I love the recycled decor.

kelly c.

Great food (even the vegan options are tasty). Great atmosphere (love the re-purposed bowling alley) Great staff (they're just a lot of fun) Great drinks (Toy gun has basil and white pepper in it) I need to get back there soooooon! Who's with me?

Nicolette D.

All I can say is Empanadas, Empanadas, Empanadas...they were so good I found it hard to be excited about the grilled portobello sandwich & sweet potato fries I ordered (which i devoured,...) This place is fantastic. It's built entirely with re-purposed materials like bowling alley planks at the bar & pinball machine faces in the booths so you have to really look around & appreciate that building it must have been putting together a jigsaw puzzle... Pleasant service, diverse mixed crowd, my favorite Scotch an an arousing menu that pays its respects to it's home in the Pilsen neighborhood...Can't wait to go back.

Alejandra V.

I've come here more often then I would like to admit. I don't know why either. This place is really 2 1/2 stars but I round up because It can be way worse. Times I've come when it's crowded: 2 stars. The bar is packed the bartenders are overwhelmed and the beer selection isn't very good. Times I've come when it's fairly empty: 3 stars. Bartenders are actually pretty nice. I get a seat but the beer selection still isn't good.

Parris M.

I love this place. The cocktails are always amazing. Great beers on tap. and I've yet to have better nachos or sweet potato fries in my entire life. Parking sucks, but whatever. It's worth it.

Hank R.

I've been going to Simones for a few months now. Probably 2 or 3 times a month. I always have a good time. Because of the beer list I usually end up staying much longer then intended. I am in love with the pizza and the burgers. The burgers are huge and come with a massive portion of mixed sweet potato and regular potato fries. I'm pretty sure they fry them in vegetable oil as well (vegetarians). The service is almost always perfect. Usually a little slow on a Friday night visits but that is expected. I have personally met Patty a server and Mark a bartender and I loved them both! Looking forward to going back again soon.

Michael D.

On a recent early Saturday evening my wife and I went to Simone's Bar located in the Pilsen neighborhood for a light dinner. This establishment offers a variety of bar food and features a large U-shaped bar in the center of its dining room. It also has another barroom in the rear, but it was empty when we arrived. Upon my inquiry with one of the staff, we were told that the back bar would fill up later in the night. The main dining area was about 35% filled and although the bar was crowded, we managed to get two seats. Our bartender was friendly and poured decent cocktails, but the quality of the house wine was average and overpriced. We ate at the bar and had a plate of empanadas and a hamburger. Both dishes were just fair. This restaurant caters to younger patrons and plays loud, recorded, contemporary music that hinders conversation. In a pinch it's OK, but I would not go out of my way to eat there.

Mary C.

Great beers on handle. No clue about the cocktails. The Beef burgers have been hit or miss with me but sweet potato/white potato fry combo is always good. The crowds vary on nights but mostly hipster. ehh. Patio seating is nice.

MARIA O.

Hung out here last night and it has become a very busy place since the last time I was here. BTW, I don't know how the heck these guys think they're gonna find me if they're always hanging at Simone's. That's why I decided to write a review. Really nothing noteworthy to talk about. Except for the gorgeous men that hang out here. The drinks weren't outstanding. I actually think my Sailor Jerry's and Coke was watered down. BTW, I just met Sailor Jerry's last night. had never had the pleasure, but after it tasting watered down, I still prefer my Captain Morgan. Also, I've never eaten here before. I've heard some stories and get queasy so I can't bring myself to do it. So to reiterate, an abundance of eye candy and....that's about it.

Kristina W.

I don't quite think this bar deserves all they hype it has, but it's definitely a cool atmosphere. All the furniture and decor is refurbished arcade games and things of that nature. I've never seen anything like it. But although the place looks great, I've had some less than fabulous experience with service. One time, the waiter told me when I was looking at the wine list-as short as it may be-that I "probably wanted the merlot". I thought it was less helpful, and more presumptuous. Plus, he never came by during our meal. I certainly feel like the wait staff is "too cool" to properly check on tables. One of my biggest gripes about the place is that I read on their blog that they were going to have a local artist competition a few months ago. I entered a few pieces, corresponded with the blogger a bit and waited. The competition never occurred and the blogger didn't return my email questioning what happened. I thought that was extremely unprofessional. The food is okay-I liked the empanadas-although they're not your traditional empanadas, and I liked the chopped salad (but how can you really screw that up). I didn't love the breakfast burrito. The hash browns and fries were good. I'm excited to come back in the summer when I can sit on the patio with my pup. So all in all- "Meh".

Melanie S.

Very laid back and relaxed vibe. Since there were no seats to be had outside on a flawless Friday evening, we started out inside in the back room where it was a little quieter so we could talk. We mentioned to our server that we'd like to move outside if a table became available and to her credit, she remembered and gave us a table outside after a couple of hours. The food looked great, and although I didn't eat, any place that has sweet potato fries gets an automatic thumbs-up from me. The wine and beer list were quite extensive, and it was well-priced from what I can remember. All in all, a top-notch evening, and a great place to check out, even if you're a north-sider like me. I can't wait to go back again.

Lizbeth G.

The food is amazing !!!! at night specially Friday and Saturday its hard to find a table and service is slower . Great atmosphere !

David R.

Cool place...made me feel like I was inside a giant, futuristic pinball machine. Also, I was surprised by how pleasantly polite and non-hipstery the entire staff were, from the door guys to the bartenders. Yes...I judged the books by their covers. Shame on me. It's spacious and not terribly crowded, at least not on a Thursday night. I liked the beer list--about eight or so interesting choices, including Metropolitan Flywheel and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. Not to mention the healthy selection of whiskies, including Templeton Rye. I even liked the music--I heard a few of my favorite artists and a lot of other good modern "indie" rock or whatever you want to call it. I would definitely go back if by some chance I fall out of a plane and land in Pilsen wanting a drink.

Carol K.

I keep wondering why I haven't reviewed this place yet and then it came to me . . . .I really have nothing to say about Simone's. It's a bar in Pilsen. No less. No more. It lacks an identity. It lacks soul. Oh sure- they've dolled the place up with recycled this and recycled that. It reminds me of a big pinball machine on the inside which, according to the bartender is exactly what they were going for. Okay. I get it. There is often times excitement , when some "undesirable" either gets in the bar and sits down or gets stopped by the manager (bouncer? patron?) and is asked to leave and when he doesn't is pretty much thrown out. They serve food which, while okay, is not particularly memorable. I'd have a hard time saying, "Hey go to Simone's you've got to try their . . . . " But what I found the most surprising on my last visit was the bartender's total lack of interest. Oh, not just in me or my friend who were trying to grab a quick drink before pushing on to our next stop and it took forever, but to everything around him. How do I know this? There was an open cash drawer sitting in front of us on the bar the entire time we were there. Now I get trusting people not to steal . . . .but if you've got problems with people coming into the bar that you don't want- I don't recommend putting a full cash drawer within hands reach of your patrons! And it sat there in full sight as the bartender went around the other side of the bar to serve others. We must have looked like trustworthy souls! Or maybe it was some kind of bizarre test? Don't get me wrong- I like that Pilsen has another neighborhood place where I can pop in to get a drink now and then. Parking is always easy on 18th and the prices, while a bit high for Pilsen, are comparable to other places in town. But it's Simone's lack of "soul" that keeps it from popping in my mind as a first choice, when I am looking for a place to grab a beer in this "neck of the woods"..

Yolanda A.

Love it!

Ericka L.

Great music/DJs, cool crowd, really crowded, and strong drinks. Love to come here with my girls after dinner.

DJ S.

Love this place! Such a fun atmosphere. Tables made from old pinball machines. Really cool. 70's music playing. The bartenders are great too. Food is awesome. We had the steak salad. Delicious. The Mexican chicken sandwich is yummy. Really yummy special sauce, salsa, juicy chicken breast on an egg roll. Fun drinks even for those of us that don't drink. This place is fun anytime. We were here on a Sunday afternoon. Try it!!!

Derrick T.

I don't know what's going on... globalization must be making it's way into the Pilsen neighborhood because this is definitely not a Mexican food joint. First it was some solid BBQ from Honky Tonk, and now a bar with fairly favorable food? Decor: Awesome. If you're in the area, make a stop just to check out the innovative decorations from this place. Pinball machines taken apart, seatbelts as backs for chairs, all sorts of knick knacks! Food: Sweet potato fries were tasty, and the burger was good. Far from spectacular, and while I my order of "medium rare" turned out closer to "medium", the food overall was tasty. The option to have a "smaller" version of their beers was nice, though I think the full sized was likely a better deal Verdict: Definitely worth checking out, fun place to hang, food is par, and a welcome new addition to Pilsen.

Matt L.

What a nutty 1/2 week! I've been to Aviary, Violet Hour, and Simone's all over a 4-day period (which was, btw, much more pleasant and less bleedy than its 7-day cousin). Not because I'm totes inebes'd all the time, but cuz it just went down like that. So, guess who had my favorite cocktail? If you talk to wicked awesome types in the know, "Amaro" seems to be the buzzword nowadays. They're all, "Cynar this, Averna that..." Okay, hopefully, that sentence or anything like it has never actually been spoken, but you get the idea. Basically, if you're not flavoring your drinks with apéritifs and digestifs that were invented in Italy at least 50 years ago, you aren't qualified to mix a mudslide at Friday's. You get a pass for St. Germain, but that's where it ends. Fuck to that, I say, because Hum got invented. If you haven't had Hum yet, your life probably kind of sucks. You're wondering why you're here, feeling a bit empty inside. You're trying to get bit by spiders in the hopes they'll impart super powers on you and you can finally start fighting crime. Am I right? Well I have an alternative... try Hum. It will change your life. Inspired by blah blah blah in blah blah blah, Hum is tied with the Pizza Puff and the word "Jag" as the three best things to ever come out of Chicago. If you're going to talk about amaros, and you aren't stocking Hum, you're faking the funk imo. I'm looking at you, Violet Sour (wordplay!). So sorry for making you read 3 paragraphs about 1 ingredient in 1 cocktail on Simone's list, but it's kind of important. That drink, btdubs, is the Quickie, and it's first on the list. They should probably all be called quickies, because drinks here are mixed fast. In fact, it kind of makes me want to downgrade my last Whistler update. There is virtually no muddling or zesting, and only a very small amount of frothing going on at Simone's. For $8, you get a great cocktail quick, most of which utilize ingredients from North Shore and Koval. Support your local distilleries. Running moonshine and evading Boss Hog may seem cool, but it's tiring and wasteful, especially when your car has no catalytic converter and gets 3 miles to the gallon.

Daniel D.

Let's KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) Simone's. Recycled atmosphere, colorful, artistic, inviting, loud, but not screaming. Great specials almost every day of the week. Helpful, very friendly and intuitive staff. Primo bar-food, amble prices to match them; you get what you pay for. Seven dollars for a PBR, Fries, and burger? Yes. Great music playing on the jukebox. Ample seating with a great crowed. DJ's, art shows, and events. Simone's wins, my official standby.

Catie V.

I came here on a monday for some late-night food and drinks. Good thing is that last call for food is when they close (which is around 2, i believe) but the service was not the best, my friends and i waited over 5 minutes for someone to greet us, and they only reason they did is because i got up and asked a server if someone was ever going to stop by our table despite countless staff members seeing us seat ourselves (since i guess that's what we were supposed to do?) the beer and drink selection is pretty awesome, and every night they have specials on food and drink combos. monday was $6 for a pizza and a PBR. the food was quite delicious. it was mostly american food with some hispanic items as well. the decor was AWESOME. it looked like a day of the dead celebration party with dark lights, sugar skull paintings and ornaments, crazy looking nebula-esque lights, very cool overall. There was no music playing at all even in the background, but i hear it's better to go on the weekends bc that's when the dance parties start. Overall, this is the kind of place i'm ok with visiting once or two times but that's about it.

Josie H.

Simone's is great for a low key, reasonably priced corner bar. Food has been consistent, and servers and bartenders have always been super nice. Diversity of the crowd is also one of the big reasons I keep coming back: However, a couple of comments: The menu NEVER changes. I have been to Simone's dozens of times over the past three years and the menu stays the same. It gets kind of old and and one of the main reasons I've been avoiding Simone's as of late. It would be nice to have at least some random new dinner/meal specials once in a while. As far as food goes, I'd say it was good, but not amazing. Fairly typical bar food, and their Simone's salad is hands down the best thing on the menu. Servers sometimes can be almost impossible to flag down, especially on a busy night. I wish they had at least 2 more manning tables on those nights. There were several instances where my friends would have had more food/drinks but were not seen quickly. However, it's a good, regular, standby and I will return.

Genni O.

Ate Nachos for lunch last week and got major food poisoning. Almost needed to go to emergency room. Be careful.

Steve M.

Disclosure: Apologies in advance for the ESSAY I just wrote! If you don't mind a longer read, please have at it! Seems like a lot of these reviews are polarized around the cultural predicament of Simone's presence in Pilsen. I'm not going to comment on that, as I'm still just discovering Pilsen. I will say that it's clearly a neighborhood in flux, and that can be good or bad depending on how you see the world. It's a fact of life that neighborhoods (and people) change, and your definition of good vs bad depends on you. I will also say that Pilsen is a GREAT neighborhood that I've enjoyed getting to know immensely. OK. Onto the bar/restaurant! Owners: First of all, this place is owned by the same guys who own Northside and Danny's. Crazy. What a diverse smattering of bars to own -- kinda wish it was MY bar empire! Jealous rant about successful entrepreneurs will be saved to a different review though. Decor/Ambiance: Someone hit the nail on the head in an earlier review by calling the decor retro/futurist/geeky. I'd also like to add awesome. Having never sat in a booth made of used seatbelts, I'm happy to report that they're quite comfortable! The music was good -- mostly upbeat indie rock along with some classic hip hop stuff.... a bit loud for the dining area (people were talking really loud over the music). The walls and lighting are really cool here. Looking forward to grabbing a seat at the bar next time. Servers: All seemed very friendly. Ours was particularly so, as well as hip and cute. She did a great job of taking care of us and juggling all of her other tables when the crowd picked up. She let me try a beer out before ordering, which is something you usually have to be sitting at the bar to do -- very cool. The Food: Starters. When/if you go there, try the tomato soup. They sprinkle some cheese in there, and the consistency is just thick enough. None of that watery Campbell's soup drool here. Also, the hummus had incredible flavor. A simple starter, but well worth trying. The Burgers. This is ordinary bar fare, but I'm happy to say that they really nailed it. A very good sign. I ordered the "Pilsen Burger" medium rare. It comes standard w/ Chihuaua cheese, guac and jalapenos. Whoever was working the grill in the back killed it! (not the cow.) It came out perfectly medium rare, which is something that rarely happens in a busy bar/kitchen environment (pardon the pun - again). The spices were really very good too. The burger patty was well crusted on the outside too. All in all, I am somewhat suprised that a bar burger impressed me so much. Roasted veggies as a side didn't dissapoint either. The drinks: Beer. They were out of IPA when we sat down, which was too bad cause I love hoppy IPAs. But, the flip side is that I got to try a great Pilsner called Victory Pils. It had some of the bitter after taste I was looking for in an IPA, but had a much lighter body. Really went well w/ my burger. Cocktails. The Tradicional. You must try this if you like tequila. It was strong. It comes with something called Pama, which was great. It also has some other stuff in it, and a salty rim. You will like this if you like anything Mexican. Just do it. The Zimbabwe. This drink contains Campari, which can be a hit or miss proposition for most. For me, I don't usually love it as it tends to make things too dry. This drink, however, is special. It contains hendricks gin, campari, orange, sugar and soda water. Really beautiful color in this one. But, what floored me was the taste. Somewhere around the taste of a popsicle stick that was saturated with orange sherbert. Maybe not a flavor I want for an ENTIRE beverage, but it DID instantly transport me back to being a kid, running around my parent's backyard in the summertime. Just one of those taste/memory recall experiences that are special. All in all, Simone's was awesome. I'll be back again for sure. And, yea - I live on the North Side. So what?

Juan G.

Pilsen Burger FTW

Dominique K.

Came here one Night. It was nice and chill. Packed!! I wish there was more seating in the front area so we had to find a spot in the back which was fine we could hear each other talk. I haven't had the chance to try their food I'll definitely be going back to try the food and the place in general. Its a nice catch up spot

Nikki C.

the place ...from the movie PF... "Check out the big brain on Brett. You one smart motherfucker... " comes to mind. much thought and drugs went into the planning and execution. it is fun and the energy is conducive to sipping on alcohol and touching and flirting...not so sure it belongs in the old hood, but everything changes....welcome to pilsen park ya'll;-) the food smelled and looked tasty, but alas a side of porky from honky tonk bbq down the street stopped anymore intake of proteins...luckily there was still room for beer. decent beer selection, the bartenders approachable enough and dang handsome. the music...(way cool looking dj booth which was vinyl enabled) this night felt off and more about the dj and his friends rather than the feel of the room, which came off as date night in the pils...some chiller r n b with some remixed moans and groans would've worked better, but alas it wasn't so off and annoying. if i am closeby its definitely a decent place to mingle and swingle.

Steve O.

Has free Wi Fi! Burger special before 5pm also!

Renee E.

FH and I stopped by Simone's for a very late lunch on Sunday. Normally, I resort to Bloody Mary's, but I was really happy to see they had Juju Ginger Beer. Love. The beer list was good. The music was good, the atmosphere was interesting, the menu looked intriguing, but I was disappointed in my vegan burger. It was a compressed patty of black beans and rice, topped with pico de gallo and about zero flavor. So, it really tasted more like dark moosh on a bun, even w/ the pico de gallo. I should've de-veganized and gotten some melty delcious cheez on top. FH got the cow burger and said his rating scale would be to compare it to Skylark, and unfortunately, he declared it not nearly as good. What WAS the standout item for us was the side of sweet potato fries that the gentlemen behind us pawned off on us when they realized they'd ordered fries on top of already getting fries with their meals. So, this delicious mound of sweet potato fries came with 2 little dishes of lemon aioli and a maple aioli. Delicious, but as we had that first, it totally overshadowed the entrees. I'd go back to try the bloody mary and to devour the sweet potato fries, but if I'm starving in Pilsen, I'll probably seek another venue for food.

Jason H.

This place is something special. I didn't even realize that everything was recycled until my friend advised me. Everything from chandeliers, to the seats to the headrests to decorations. The best part is that it still has style, good style. The beer selection did seem pretty phenomenal just as the yelpers advised. The food was good quality. Not the best ever, but solid. The empanadas were probably the best thing I tried. They also have art there, I would bet that it rotates too. I definitely want to go back and hang out longer.

Vivian Y.

Here's a VALID review for you all since I'm the FIRST customer to dine here on Grand Opening day! Whoo hoo! I love this joint! It's worth the trek to Pilsen - and really, it's not that far! So here's the dillio, Yo! Walk in, and immediately, all this "stuff" will capture your attention. You can spend an hour walking around this joint just to appreciate how this whole place came together. By "stuff", I am referring to glass, the bar, the chairs, the layout - and of course, "the lab" in the back room. From the outside, the space is really deceving because it's actually very big and a wonderful layout designed for groups and individuals alike! Most everything here has come from something recycled; from their glass bottle lights, bowling alley floors, high school chemistry desks (with all the scuff marks and "Julia hearts Adam" along with it). There are also seats made from recycled seat belts, wall fixtures from old pin ball machines and church pews. This place doubles as both a bar that intends to know your name (thinks "Cheers") as well as a studio for people to gather in the lab to showcase their art, knowlege or even, Tai Chi? Consider taking a look at their website where they will be posting all sorts of free "talks" that will be taking place in their lab. Now, onto the food. Like a true Chicago Food Whore, I start my lunch with none other than a brewsky. Your typical tap choices won't be here (sorry Budweiser) but rather a nice selection of 10 beers from around the midwest. [ok, if you really need a Bud, ask for it in a bottle] Today's choice was the Gumball Head (Three Floyd's) - and as I'm writing this, I'm already buzzed - I definitely have a good tolerance, especially for an Asian (my ears don't turn purple and I don't break out in hives) but oddly enough, this beer has my heart racing - YES, mission accomplished! I ordered Simone's burger, a SUPER juicy 10oz patty topped with mild blue cheese (they didn't go cheap on that either) which came with a small 1/4 pickle and a heaping mound of fresh hand cut fries. The patty was so thick that it was almost an inch thick - cooked! The fries are two-in-one: half sweet potato and half rustic potatoes. YUM. I think these were the BEST sweet potato fries I have ever had. There's nothing fancy about them - just fried and salted - keep it simple and that is what they did. For dessert, I got a TRIO tasting of coconut tres leches, madagascar vanilla ice cream and organic carrot cake. As soon as I saw that their tres leches came from Kristoffers, I knew I was in for a treat, but I NEVER expected this cake to be one of the TOP 5 desserts I have EVER had in my life. And the ice cream - from Black Dog Ice Cream (local creamerie) was fantastic - it was pure vanilla heaven! I'm going back again tonight and bringing my husband and friends. I can't wait to try their pizza and the rest of their strong beers!!! Thank you for making my day....buzzed!

Anne P.

Pilsen local, been there twice, ate (and drank, duh) both times. Ambiance: First off, the decor is amazing. I'm a bit of a video game/sci-fi geek and whoever designed this place has incredible retro-geek taste. Duck Hunt and Space Invaders are just a couple of the pieces that anybody gaming in the 80s will recognize. The steampunk-y lamp in the back is very City of Lost Children, as someone else has said. I wouldn't go as far as the Blade Runner reference someone else made, though. The place isn't gritty enough for that. The bar has accents influenced by futurism: it's a bit like what we thought the future would look like in the 70s. Think The Jetsons. And the retro black and white movies playing on the (very few) monitors really hit that home. The re-use of so many things is a fantastic step forward, also: old bottles and recycled seatbelts and lab equipment and all. Food: The Monte Cristo was sweet and extremely filling. The cranberry aioli was a great complement. I way, way preferred the honey mustard chicken, though. Served on a pretzel roll with a cool slaw topping. Excellent stuff. Loved the sweet potato fries mixed in with the others, but I'll admit both were a bit on the limp end. The tres leches is from Kristoffer's, and is exactly as it's served there: extremely rich. Drinks: The Caucasian is amazing (espresso vodka and cinnamon milk). They were out of a component of the Mint Tea when I tried to order it, which was disappointing. The Sarsaparilla was not as root beer-y as I or my companion would've liked. Thor's Tonic is just short of mind-blowing (to me), if truly bizarre to most. Super-strange. But there's the Vikings for you. Staff: Cute, all of them, with definite senses of style, though most a bit on the hipster end if they weren't in the staff shirts. (Yes, I say that like it's a bad thing.) From what I could overhear, though, every single one seemed to be attached. Ha. Took awhile for the bartender to notice me, which was a bit irksome. But otherwise, every one of them that came by was friendly, and the one, at least, was very apologetic about the lack of Mint Tea ingredients. Music: I preferred the loungey picks over the retro irony, but I think I was in the minority. I'd rather hear more techno/lounge, but I suspect the retro nonsense fits better into the theme. Almost drove me out of the place, though. Crowd: Majority were definitely not local, which made me feel a bit out of place. There was definitely a bit of the shiny beautiful people syndrome going on there when I was in. That said, that wasn't everybody, thankfully. And local or not, everyone seemed to be having fun. Just not together.

Gabrielle S.

once you actually find this hidden gem, you will be pleasantly surprised!! Simones is a casual yet hipster trendy nice stream lined and fun bar and grill. The interior is all wood and art with plenty of natural light and is warm and inviting. The service is great, everyone was very friendly. Came here so a friend could get a burger and was pleasantly surprised by the yummy beer on tap and delicious side salad topped with seared tuna...whatever it was seasoned with was awesome and very tender. Friends sweet potato fries were pretty tasty too! Not to skinny, juuuuust right. Price was 38$ before tip for 3 hoppy drafts, a burger, and a side salad with added tuna and avocado (and for being a side salad, it was plenty big for a lunch).

Leticia L.

It was date night and both my husband and I got home from work late. I wasn't really in the mood to drive somewhere and pick up dinner and it was too hot to walk far so we decided to try Simone's. I am 8 months pregnant so a bar is never really my first choice in dining but it was close and I was starving. Inside the decor is very interesting. It reminds me of something out of a science fiction book. We ordered the chicken empanadas for an appetizer and they were extremely tasty. The avocado sour cream complemented them quite well. I ordered the BLT and my husband ordered the chipotle burger which he said was delicious. The have many items on the menu that I am looking forward to trying.

Rajan G.

Simone's is one of those rare neighborhood finds that I keep going back to again and again. Between the great crowd, eclectic interiors, very good music and surprisingly good tasting bar food, Simone's is hard not to like. Another great find at Simone's is their brunch, which is extremely tasty and very reasonably priced. I normally choose between the different variety of pizza-s (the bbq chicken is very tasty and delivers a spicy kick) or the pilsen burger. The sandwiches and empanadas are good too. Drinks are reasonably priced, staff is very friendly. It is definitely one of my favorite hangout places and all my friends would agree with me on this one. Parking can be a pain at times and you will have to look for spots along the railway tracks and the road parallel to 18th street near the railway tracks. But despite that I would highly recommend the place.

StreetPhotos A.

This is a great burger and beer pub on the southwest side. Interior is uniquely decorated with re-claimed car parts and old pinball machines. Large beer selection. My only complaint is that service can sometimes be on the slow side.

Erin L.

When Simone's first opened, I really liked it a lot! I loved that it was close to home, the staff was super friendly & knowledgeable & the sweet potato fries (with cranberry aioli) and vegan burger (with a side of guac) were my staple. Now, the rare times I visit, the fries are always burnt & the staff is unfriendly (yet still knowledgeable.) I was even yelled at by the bartender because we went there for a friend's Bachelorette party & the bride (a non-drinker) wanted a drink that must've been too 'foo-foo' for her to make. I almost feel like a lot (not all~there are a couple nice ones left) of the staff feels like they don't need to be nice because people are going to keep coming here no matter what. Too bad...

Maritza D.

I love this place. I live a few blocks away from it and try to come here as much as I could. A bit pricey but I don't mind since I love this place. $3 Pbr tallboys if you are on budget which isnt too bad. I would highly recommend this place. I love it! Edit: 12/4/13 The food here can be a hit or miss. I ordered a burger medium and it came back well-done burned. I really wouldn't recommend eating here.

Laura N.

Extremely crowded on a Friday night, but a wonderful crowd (and wait staff)! It's just a shame that I was with a really large group crammed into awkward spaces in a long table with walls on most sides (hard to move about). The majority of the group also communicated in American Sign Language, which means it's really hard to talk to anyone who's not sitting right next to or right in front of you when at a long table. The table set-up made me a bit irritable and I was ready to leave an hour after I arrived. This probably effects my review. I was looking forward to trying the food (since the reviews are good) but I just didn't want to shell out the money. My mixed drink was delicious, though. I do have to say my favorite part was the decor! Very unique and inspiring, it's very nice to see a place like this in a neighborhood like Pilsen (or just in Chicago in general!). So will I come back? Probably not. It's not that I didn't like it or anything, it's just too far from where my friends and I live to really plan a trip back there. Plus, there was nothing (aside from the decor) that stood out and made me think to myself, "OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO TAKE SO-AND-SO HERE!"

Duncan B.

Get any one of the Burgers, Enuff Said!

Sandra T.

I love their vegetarian choices. If your lucky enough to get a good server it's ok if not not so good.

Kimberly L.

Sigh. I had high hopes for this place. Perhaps I'm not going on the right night or ordering the right items. I don't know. But after two visits, I just think, "Eh, it's okay. Just okay." The atmosphere is funky and creative and pretty relaxed. Maybe too relaxed when it comes to service. Twice now I've had to get up and find my own extra plates (for salad) and silverware. Okay, you're clearly too hip to serve with care. I get it. I need to chill out and you'll get to me...whenever. Mmm. No. Onto the food. The first time I ordered a Simone's salad and a burger. This was pretty good if you don't count the fries, which were quite disappointing: soggy and on the cold side. Harumpf. The second time I was with a group and we came late in the evening. We ordered tempura veggies and onion rings. They were so very...lame. When I order high-fat foods I want the full-fat satisfaction. Alas, it was not to be. The batter was kind of gross. We all agreed. All the fat, none of the goodness of fat. Sadness ensued. Oh Simone's, I so want to like you. But I'm not sure I'll come back.

Maricruz N.

I like going to this place. Their beers a good and their Buffalo Chicken sandwich is amazing. One of the best ones I've tasted to this date. The sweet potato fries were good too. Their selection of beers is not big but they are not common but if your up for trying something new this is the place to go.

Amber M.

This place rocks my socks! I wish we had bars this awesome in California! Seriously, out of all the places I've gone, this is probably one of the coolest. Yes, it's very hipster... From the painted walls, recycled art and the laid-back atmosphere. They have a decent selection of draft beers. I didn't try any of the food, but it looked and smelled amazing. We came on a Sunday evening, and it wasn't too crowded. It also happened to be karaoke night, which provided some laughs. Next time I am in Chi, I will definitely be returning!

sarah g.

I've been going to Simone's for about 3 years now and I've always thought that their food is on point. The sweet potato fries are unbeatable, their drinks decently priced, and being from the area, I like to support local business. I've had some great memories there. But I have to say, I'm REALLY disappointed with the service. On several separate occasions, I've had waiter/waitresses who were extremely rude. A while ago, I asked the waiter for silverware because none of us (party of 4) had been given silverware when he brought our food. He returned with loose silverware, dumped it on the table, waited for us to pick out forks (had not grabbed the spoons yet) and then swept it all away and back to the kitchen. I literally laughed at this, wondering, "Is this really happening!? Did dude just take away our silverware?" We asked for condiments, he never brought it. Now, I understand when someone is having a bad day. And I like to think I'm fairly easy to please: I don't get pissed if food takes 20-30 minutes, I'm not tripping if someone's a little slow on bringing drinks. But I have frequently had this waiter and this type of service was not out of the ordinary for him, but I never said anything because I always wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. I DO want to add that I've seen him recently and he seems like a totally different person (in a good way!). But then I came through for the delectable seared tuna burger. Unless it's $5 Nacho Tuesdays, anytime I come to Simone's to dine, I get the seared tuna burger. The aioli is on point, the preztel bun is my favorite, and it has never disappointed! I must have ordered this sandwich an upwards of 10 times. I'm not playing. So I order it and it comes out, and the fish is not cooked thoroughly. Now, I know that it is SEARED-- but yo, that fish was raw. I politely inform the waiter and they tell me "Well, you know, it's seared so...", to which I replied that I had ordered this sandwich every time I dine at Simone's and it has never been this undercooked. She took it, brought back a new one, and that one was fine. It was really good, actually! The waiter told me they would be back to check to see how it was, but she never came back, and during our entire time, she never refilled our drinks or asked if we needed anything. Time wise, service lagged. Because she wasn't coming through often and because the food had to be recooked, I was there for an hour. And the only thing that had been ordered were two burgers! And finally, I thought it appropriate to offer a discount of some sort, but that never happened. Like I said, I don't think I'm hard to please, and I don't hate Simone's or anything. But I will say that I am disappointed and frustrated because when I choose to spend my money at a business, it is with the hopes that the money will be well spent and that I won't regret spending my time there. And I have, unfortunately, left with a sour taste in my mouth sometimes.

Dana J.

Tonight was my third visit, and the food never disappoints. I had the quinoa/black bean vegan burger with fries. The decor is also fantastic, it's one of my favorite places to bring out-of-towners. The only complaint I have is that the music is a bit too loud for a "restaurant." After 10PM it's understandable, but this was fairly early. I just have a hard time eating with music blaring, not to mention forget trying to have a conversation. Other than that, great place.

Lily S.

Came here for brunch as a suggestion from a friend. FOOD 1. I ordered a CROISSANT SANDWICH with egg, cheese, and substituted the bacon for sausage. They didn't make a big deal over the substitution (some places do and it's annoying) and I appreciated that. It tasted really good and i do recommend it. Hashbrowns on the side were the best! Not your usual diner hashbrowns, these tasted very fresh, light with thin shavings of potato, and just the right amount of crispiness. 2. My friend ordered a burger from the brunch menu that had egg and bacon on it. I thought it was a little bland. However my friend likes his burgers not so salty and loved it, especially with the egg and bacon, mmMMmm good. 3. Fresh squeezed orange juice is a plus (note very small cup sizes) EVERYTHING ELSE 4. Service is great - very funny and laid back service 5. The best part about Simone's is the look and ambiance - very grungy and unique interior design. For example, each booth had the top of a pinball machine attached to the side wall and ceiling (acts as the lighting too). 6. Very reasonably priced items, our total meal came out to be a little over $30 and we had three cups of OJ plus two entrees. Overall, good place to grab some bar good with friends for lunch, brunch, or dinner. They also have outdoor seating!

Jeanette R.

Great atmosphere. They have the most amazing sweet potato fries, the sweet sauce for it just makes them that much better, good wings, & good pizza. Definitely give this place a try!

Elizabeth L.

Pros- beautiful bar. Great designs. Awesome art work. Decent staff. Big selections. Cons- in a shit neighbor hood. Over priced. Bad layout. Nothing else around it to do.

Sarah M.

Solid bar food. The buffalo chicken sandwich was greet because they make it with pulled chicken so you get spicy buffalo sauce in every bite and since it's not a chicken breast covered in sauce, it doesn't slide around between the bun making a mess. That's a good idea. Service was fast and friendly and it's just a nice place to be. Crowded in weekend nights but I'm too old for weekends now anyway.

Sara V.

Beer is great. I mean I'm more of a vodka tonic girl but on a hot summer night there is nothing better than a delicious icy cold beer. It's no longer summer, but the memory of my most recent visit is still fresh enough to commit to the records of Yelp. We went on a Tuesday but didn't participate in the weekly Trivia Night (a shame because although we left halfway through, I'm pretty sure we were winning. In my head.). However we did participate in drinking many tasty beers and eating two very tasty burgers. My dining companion had the blue cheese stuffed burger, of which I was surprisingly not the biggest fan. Still that's not the fault of the burger (which dining pal did love). It's mine; even though I love blue cheese more than life, it's melted form always fails to excite. I had the buffalo burger. The chicken was cooked to perfection and although I could have used a LOT more sauce, it was well worth being forced to waddle home. Fries were "meh", normally they're my favorite part of a meal but I remember thinking that there was something...lacking in their taste or consistency. The beers were perfection and the selection was magnificant, if a little daunting. All the above leads to a pretty great neighborhood joint, but the sad fact is that for this poor college student, it's not nearly as appealing as Skylark. I'll drop by again, but only if someone else is paying

Amanda T.

Simone m'dear, I'm glad we've finally met, I kinda want to date you. It's really hard to dislike this place. There are old pinball machines all over the walls, and who doesn't like pinball? Idiots, that's who. It makes my inner/outer nerd happy. The bar has some tasty craft brews to enjoy and the special was a mere $4. The oversized booths were a plus as well. Our server was super nice and as the night progressed and we moved towards the bar, the bartenders were also just as nice. The vibe and the patrons fit nicely together. Everyone was laid back and unpretentious. There were no gross sleazy people, from my vantage point at least. I was not my usual hater self here. Weird. But seriously though, this place is just cool. There's really no other way to put it.

Robert S.

The art in this bar is over the top awesome. It seems that every corner of the place is inspired by pinball machines, industrial scrap, and recycled wood. It's definitely worth a trip for a look. But the trip is pretty crazy- it's kind of hard to get to without a car. The nearest CTA stations are over a half mile away, so I think it's a great place to go if you live nearby. I was told by a "foodie" that the menu here was exquisite, but everything that I tried was pretty mediocre. The honey mustard chicken sandwich is kind of bland, but not horrible. The beer list is fairly short, but it has some great selections, both draught and bottle. Props for having Dark Horse Raspberry on tap.

Katy O.

I came here for a weekday lunch last week with friends. It was pretty quiet at noon but slowly started to fill up. We had really friendly service and I enjoyed the atmosphere of the bar- it would be fun to come back for drinks sometime as they have a great beer list. You would never think that the inside is as nice as it is if you're just passing by- it is worth a stop in if you are in the area. I had a grilled chicken sandwich that was very tasty but nothing I'd go out of my way for. Bottom line- I would definitely come back if I were in the area but wouldn't drive across town just to come here (but I don't think that is what this place is all about after all, it has a very local, neighborhood feel that is great).

Kate K.

This is a fun bar with an awesome upcycle decorating scheme. This makes sense, as Simone's is in the trendiest and hipster-iest part of Pilsen. They have a pretty decent bar menu and they make a WICKEDLY strong rum and coke. I know this b/c I tried to drink one of these monster drinks while there celebrating for my birthday. While I appreciated the thought behind the super strong b-day drink, it almost took the enamel off my teeth! But, thankfully, they were super kind about topping the drink off with Coke intermittently - between that and noshing on some snacks I didn't end up being on the floor of the bathroom on my birthday, which is always appreciated - as I have the tolerance of a gnat with the booze these days. Anyhow: point being, this is a cool, fun place and I'll be back.

Dana S.

Walking into Simone's is like walking into a giant pinball machine, but one that's been turned into a neighborhood bar. Pretty much everything in the decor is salvaged or recycled, from the giant glass bottle lamps to the booth seats made of old seat belts to the bar itself, which was a bowling lane in a previous life. Following this theme, there's an herb garden and two beehives on the roof--yes, they make their own *honey*. That is cool. They have a great selection of beers, including some you've probably never heard of, and Andy-the-really-nice-bartender was spot on with his recommendations. I also ordered the empanadas--the bean and banana one gets a big thumbs up. The Thursday night I was there, a DJ was spinning an odd but digable mix of world beats and funk from the booth perched above the bar. Everyone was chill and nice, from the bartenders to the people sitting next to me. Overall, it's a mix of unexpected elements that totally works.

Joanna G.

I've been to Simone's on a number of occasions, each time hoping it will be better than what it is. The service is always extremely slow, which I'm willing to be forgiving of because it seems like they understaff, but maybe that's an issue that needs to be addressed on behalf of the management... But no one who has ever waited on me has been remotely friendly. The food is mediocre at best, typical bar food... Nothing has ever been mediocre enough to make me ever want to order it again. Considering the breadth of options for delicious food in Pilsen, Simone's is the last option unless the weather is amazing and I want to sit on a patio. For brunch it's also disappointing....every option is carb heavy and the Bloody Mary tastes like straight pickle juice. For casual drinking I can't justify the prices with Skylark just a few blocks away. I suppose they have to pay off the overly dramatic decor that screams "You're in an artist community!" Which doesn't have me convinced, it's over the top and distracting.... I'm not quite sure who this place appeals to, but the graffiti as decoration and repurposed crap just looks like it was poorly curated. Maybe that appeals to some, but the real gem of Pilsen is down the street and it serves cheap beer, good food, and doesn't take itself seriously as an artist.

Annie R.

love this off-the-beaten-path bar! i love the ambiance - very hipster. it's a very comfortable ambiance with a good crowd and GREAT music (live DJ!). was here on a friday night and although the bar was packed, it wasn't squishy. you would still be able to find a comfortable spot to sit down/hang out. best part is the choice of unique craft beers they have on tap!!!!! try the raspberry beer - it's my favorite!

Xochitl R.

This bar basically culminates the hipster takeover in Pilsen. Together, the hipsters and Simone ruined my neighborhood. And the drinks are weaksauce. Boo.

Yumi Y.

So came here with my friend and I was impressed ;) Never knew this neighborhood hid a gem like this ;) First of all...very fun interior (everything's recycled and the concept of this place was to look like a pinball machine!!), my seat was made with a bunch of seat belts ;) Server was very friendly, we were waiting for one of his friends and we asked if she can take our order then, but her attitude didn't change and she pulled through with good care ;) There was a $4 special for pear cider? (names....never can remember them), and it was like a woodchuck but sweeter ;) When the friend joined us, I ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich. Yum It was good ;) Wouldn't cry out in joy for it, but for a non-burger person like me it was good ;) The buns were soft and the meat wasn't overstuffed to the point where you have to look like Godzilla while eating your burger. It also came with a mix of regular fries and sweet potato fries and a pickle ;) $8 for this!!=Pleasant dish ;) (I think almost everything on their menu was under $10) After my pear cider I also had Cane & Ebel beer. Now I'm not too familiar with Red Ale, but this sure was an interesting one...I'm glad I tried it ;) According to the friend, this place supports local microbreweries, and yes they have a very decent selection of beers ;) Probably wouldn't go back for the sandwiches, but the other food items and their beer ;)

Danny S.

After a long second day at Lolla, we came to Simone's last Saturday night. A friend that we met out in the Chi recommended we drop by and have a few drinks...well, those few drinks turned into a plethora, ha. First, Simone's is located in a chill area and the place is unassuming...it's just there. When you walk in, the place is decorated with old pin ball machine pieces, random art and some other oddities. The place is rather big since there is another bar in the back as well. We pulled up a seat at the bar and we ordered our usual jameson/ginger and we decided to try a pizza as well. The pizza was pretty good and it help curb our alki intake for a bit, haha. As the night wore on, we got friendlier with the bartenders, dj's and people around us at the bar. Everyone there was super nice, especially the two lady bartenders working that night...Lindsay and Amelia, you guys are AWESOME! If you get the chance to go to Simone's, do so because you'll meet some cool folks. Enjoy.

Michelle M.

It's been a really long time since I've been so Simone's and well a few weeks back I stopped in and I was shocked. The area has changed so much. Anywho...back to Simone's, love the decor that they have displayed very entertaining. The drinks are OK but the music is even better. Location is cool. Bartenders are nice but I wouldn't make a long distance trip to have a drink here. Check the place out if you're ever in the area.

Monica K.

Music is great! Everything for everyone! Local deejays. Good company with really good food such as the flatbread , empandas and vegan sandwich and variety of wine and beer. You can sit by fireplace or rustic decor table or sit at bar. Also another bar area in back with science lab decor and for bigger group or party.

Susie R.

Yup the sweet potatoe fries were awesome but the rest of the food didn't impress me, specially the chicken quesadillas.

Barton C.

I've been going to Simone's for a few years, it's a great bar in Pilsen. I even had a small birthday party (in the caged area next to the DJ in April 2011--great food & service! Thanks!) but on regular visits with friends and coworkers, I feel that I have to FLAG a server for a) more drinks b) to place a food order or c) to get my check. Servers are most friendly & accommodating when you have their attention at your table, but other than that, good luck! I think the servers spend too much time chatting with coworkers, friends or other attractive customers. (sigh) The veggie menu is decent, but, for the love of goddess, AVOID their veggie burger--limp, bland and completely devoid of taste/flavor!u Portobello sandwich (sans cheese) is a great vegan treat. Lots of great beers and I'm able to order my favorite cocktail, Pims & ginger ale (w/cucumber garnish!) Interesting mix of younger latinos and hipsters. I prefer to keep to myself and just chill.

Alberto J. M.

You can walk into Simone's, and swear you're in Wicker Park, or Logan Square. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto, welcome to Pilsen. If you're into thick mustaches, flannel-shirts, Indie-Rock, and tallboys of PBR, this place is for you. OK, OK, the place isn't totally "hipster", but what brings me across town from the northside, is the food. Simone's is more of lounge, than your average corner bar, and offers a wide selection of micro-brews, liquor, and local favorites. I enjoy a good buzz as much as the next guy, but since I'm usually driving, for me, it's the grub they serve. I have more than just one favorite from their menu, so if you're looking for just one, I'd say you go and find one for yourself. You will not be disappointed. Oh, and while you're waiting for your food, and putting back a few good one's, look around appreciate Simone's unique appearance. If you're into music, DJ's also pass through on weekends, and select nights.

elena r.

We had a burger and empanadas. Nothing tasted like much. The food came to our table less than 5 minutes after we ordered it, so clearly not cooked to order. The service was good.

dan l.

Like everyone says.. cool ambiance and decor. Very unique and unusual. They had $4 drafts the night I went which was a deal and the service was good even though it was pretty busy. Honestly, the food was very sub-par. My lady & I tried the nachos which several people recommended but they fell very, very flat. What's the big deal?! The empanadas were tiny and depended way too much on the dipping sauces to make them tasty. Not a fan. Should have gone with the sweet potato fries and called it a night. Anyway, been meaning to go for years and happy I did finally. Great bar with crap food. Oh well! Get a drink at Simone's then go down the street to Skylark for some tater tots.

Scott W.

This place seems to be getting rid of any quality people that have been working there. They seem to favor hiring total douche bags that have no respect for anyone, let alone the customer. I know I won't be going back here anytime soon. I urge you to go anywhere else. You will be glad you did. Anywhere that seems to reward arrogance and only holds on to employees that seem to have no respect for anyone, is a place that I will always turn my back on.

Varsha L.

I live around the area so we do go to Simone's often...and usually its usually good, however yesterday was a bad experience....my meal was okay I should have just ordered a salad instead of the vegan burger and the service was horrible yesterday. The waitress didnt get rid of the bottles at the table I actually asked her to get rid of the bottles, we have 4 people sitting there and limited space at the table-I think the least you can do is pick up the empty beer bottles!! The guy that bought the food out seem confused, he didnt know what was what! My yesterday's visit was a 3 but most visits are a 4 so I will give them a 4 overall... Oh I love that Chai drink they have, its delicious and they have great nachos! I dont recommend the vegan burger-it was a bit dry esp with the bread that they have it on....

Sarah S.

Oh my gosh, this place is ADORABLE. I was instantly taken in by the decor - the old pinball machines on the walls. Just really interesting. The beer list is excellent, no complaints at all. The food was also quite good, and imaginative - I'd never had quinoa on pizza before, but I'd highly recommend it. The empanadas were also pretty good. Service was a little slow, but all in all, a really great place.

YANETTE M.

This place is totally hipster central and sad enough they have wanna be hipsters as well. The Beer selection is awesome, and on certain nights this place tends to be a bit awesome. As far as the bartenders their Ok I guess, some have attitudes and other just spurt out their opinion, even when I don't ask for it. Typical hipster joint, anyways this place is Meh, typically because there's to much opinions and disagreements flying around and not enough drinking, as a bar should be. The food I've never had, so I can't comment on it .

Jennifer L.

This is by far one if my favorite neighborhood bars in Chicago, also since i live in pilsen its very easy to take both new and old friends there. Food is great and there is a wild selection of beer..both IPAs and dark beers. its worth the walk/drive from any part of the city

Jillian D.

i love the ambiance at this bar. it's like pinball wizard meets chemistry geek...with food and cocktails. spent a saturday night here with friends not long ago, taking it all in and loving every minute of it. i can't speak for the food (we ate at nuevo leon beforehand), but the drinks are decent and reasonably priced. oh. and they have a dj. like, a real live dj. he/she stands on a raised platform, master of all he/she surveys, spinning tunes from their mac book to the throngs of happy drinkers below. pretty cool. though it can get loud. you've been warned.

K B.

Nothing too spectacular about the food/drinks, but the decor and atmosphere are amazing.

Suzanne B.

much better this time around. Our server was on top of things and food & drinks came out in a reasonable amount of time. Sweet potato fries are tasty, but still not coming out HOT...love the empanadas- so tasty- but the food runner couldn't tell me which was which "for sure" & I was sharing with a vegetarian, so that was the only bummer. Manhattans were tasty as always. ;-)

Emily W.

7 Things you should know: You have to seat yourself. The place is huge and there are no signs saying this, so it was a little confusing at first. It is VERY loud in here. Perfect for the group who might not have *that* much to talk about and having the excuse of "I can't really hear you because of the music!" is usually your scapegoat. The decor is kickass. Very cool environment. Dim lighting. Very intuitive. The food comes quick! Couldn't have taken more than 20 minutes. I was happily surprised. The sweet potato fries were the best I've ever had. The Simone's burger stuffed with blue cheese was not. It was very very drippy. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't come here with a date. The beer menu is dynamite. There is something for everybody. It's constantly changing from what the waitress was saying, so that's something to look forward to should I decide to go back. Lastly: there are tons of deals here. From what I remember, you can get a burger, fries & PBR for $7, 7 days a week. There are also beer specials on certain days, but you'd be better off calling or looking on their website than to trust my memory on the specifics of that one.

Jessica G.

Lovely insides and tasty vegetarian food options. Wonderful service and creative cocktails. I am a fan. You really should be too. Treats= toy gun: mango vodka, peach schnapps, oranges, basil, white pepper. vegan burger: house-made with quinoa and black beans sweet potato fries (!) empanadas: black bean and banana with cranberry aioli Next time I am back I will be trying the bees knees.

Tiffany K.

Seriously, one of my favorite bars in Chicago. Great drinks, great food, and great atmosphere! Their empanadas come with three dipping sauces. I guarantee that you will devour them within seconds. Their beer list is good (anywhere from $4-6 with a few exceptions) and they have mixed drinks that are $8. I love coming in here - it's spacious and cozy.

Marion B.

It was pricey, and it was loud, but it was GORGEOUS!! (They get a star just for the decor.) They were playing Labryinth above the bar, and the booths were gorgeous. Good beer selection. It was busy when I got there...10:30 on a Saturday night... and kind of hard to get a drink...but....it's 10:30 on a Saturday night. If I lived in the area I'd be back. As I don't, no promises.

Andrea A.

I am a new, huge fan of this bar for mainly three reasons: 1. The space is so unique and is decorated from all recycled products- very intriguing concept! They have games, many different sections, and a dance floor. 2. The drinks and food were pretty good. I had a veggie burger, a combo of sweet potato and regular fries, and a few St. Germain cocktails. The food was good, and I love that they mix the two fries here. The drinks were pleasantly strong and SO cheap for St. Germain. That is probably my favorite part about this place...My table also order these mozzarella wedges, which were a-m-a-z-i-n-g, but I am partial to deep fried and battered mozzarella. Also, their drink and food deals throughout the week are unreal! 3. This place isn't some bar where girls are showing off and/or want to eye you up the whole night and make snide remarks, while there are no noticeable douchebag guys in their 20's and 30's trying to relive their "wild" college days (I am referring to Lincoln Park and Lakeview, btw). Everyone here seemed to be minding their own business, while being respectful, fun, and down-to-earth. I felt like I belonged at this place, and did not feel out of place at all even with the diverse crowd. I also really like the location because it is near the South Loop, but it is within Pilsen, which is a neighborhood full of culture and diversity. The location is very unassuming and parking is rather easy to find (and free!). As for the staff, the waiter went a little MIA towards the end of our time there, but he was busting his butt and really busy. As far as I could see, the place was completely full of people on a Wednesday, so I totally understand the wait. It gives you more time to enjoy your company anyway!

Crystal P.

I really like Simones They have great decor and atmosphere 1. They have great drinks and a good beer list 2. But I would say they lack in the food department, little more than just ok veggie options and our waitress seemed really concerned that we were going to take too long because she had to leave.... But the other aspects of this place are so strong that I would give them another chance next time I was in this neck of the woods...

Rebecca D.

OK, so this is for the bar only. 5 stars for ambiance. Super super cool decor with really funky old pinball machines and unusual display cases on the wall. Worth it to come in and see that alone. But, after 10PM they began to increase the bizarro, not so great mix of underground rap and repetitive pop to the point that we couldn't hear each other, or ourselves. People started cramming in, there was no seating, they were standing between tables. I might just sound old, but by the end of the night, I couldn't wait to get out of there.

Gabe S.

People around me freequntly bad mouth Pilsen, but I can't say anything bad about it. And as far as saying something outstanding about it, all you have to say are 2 words: Simone's Bar. The Beer Selection is great, the Food is unbelievable! If this place was on the north side, there'd always be a line out the door. I'm not vegetarian and the portobello mushroom fries are a super original dish and incredibly delicious - juicy, savory, batter-covered awesomeness. The decor is also super original. You can comment on all the paintings on the walls, which are totally out there. I went here months ago and am still looking forward to going back.

An P.

So, I've heard that a new hip bar opened called Simone's and a couple of buds were pre-lubing. Michael G, Maria F, Raul B and Christophe all met there while I was heading over from some divine Mexican. I walked in expecting pure hell a la Rainbow Room, but was pleased to find a spacious bar with the appearance of a sports bar but the subtle sneaking ins of hipsters and yups. I found everybody sitting in a corner and had to squeeze myself in. A waitress came by and I selected Left Handed Milk Stout to honor my left-handedness! While I already ate Mexican, I was passed some sweet potato fries and ate to my heart's content - the food was really excellent! There it went to show that a bar in Pilsen need not be a dive and also need not serve up weak food. I was impressed. Everything in the bar had a fresh newness and it was pleasing to the eyes with a medium light setting. From where I sat I could look up into the caged area and see people hanging out in that claustrophobia inducing area. It was cool looking, but somewhat kind of out of place. I guess that encapsulates Simone's - it's not a dive and doesn't seem to belong in Pilsen. However, it stands the test of taste bud and is as fine as venue as you will find in Pilsen.

Alexis P.

I have to update this review, since my overall impression of Simone's has changed somewhat dramatically. The past few times I have been to Simone's the service has been severely lacking to downright rude and I'm not talking on busy weekend nights or something. I like some of the food and it is in a convenient location for me, but if anything I will only get carry out from now on.

Zannoah C. K.

I had went to Skylark first and I loved that place, so when my friend mentioned Simones and that it was new, I wanted to go. It was so packed on Friday night, but the music was really good. The food was amazing. The only gripe is that the food and drinks are VERY pricey for this area. It costs about $3-4 bucks to order a pbr, plus they have high end beer and you pay those high end prices. Most of the people worked there acted too cool to work there, and the other people there looked like they just got really dressed up to be seen, but weren't doing much else. My advice next time, get tipsy at Skylark for less than $20 then come here to dance and sweat the liquor out.

Genni N.

I love Simone's. It gets four stars just because some of the drinks are pricey for what they are. What I like about this place the most is the decor. Its set-up to look like you're in a pinball machine. Everything I've ever eaten here has always been delicious. I am slightly addicted to their BLT with all sweet potato fries and cranberry aoli.

Jason H.

My favorite bar in one of my favorite neighborhoods. Quality tap beers and pretty good food too.

Lbreeze Y.

This place is awesome! Love the sweet potato fries and the 2 different dips that come with it! One is a lemon aioli and the other is a maple. So yummy! The vegan burger is pretty amazing!! They have a great wine list and awesome beers on tap! The bar is super busy at night on the weekend but nice and comfy on sunday for brunch...which is amazing btw. I suggest you try it out for yourself! :)

Jackie S.

I went here for dinner with three friends. The drinks were pretty good although a bit expensive. The Give Inn comes with fresh strawberries and I think it's called the Toy Gun was very good too with fresh basil and mango. The Mr. Livingston was also good and a very large size as it's mixed with beer. The service is also very nice including the bouncers outside who asked us if we needed help finding a cab. The food on the other hand could have been better. I had the shredded chicken sandwich with honey mustard. Not good at all. Tasted like something out of a lunch room cafeteria. My boyfriend had the buffalo chicken sandwich and it was the same thing but with buffalo sauce. Both really really bad. Our friend had the grilled cheese and tomato soup which seemed pretty standard and her boyfriend had the salad with steak. I though the portion looked a little small. Kinda a sad salad if I do say so myself. We also got the empanadas. The beef curry seemed to have no curry and banana and black bean was kinda flavorless. The chicken was probably the best but not great. Bottom line I would return for the drinks and the service but not the food. I wish they would work on it though bc it was a very enjoyable dinning experience other then the taste, which unfortunately for them is pretty important.

Casandra G.

It's a hip little place. On another night, when my income is more consistent, I might come by to sample the variety of microbrews they carry - you can't even say the words "miller" or "bud" here, which is quite all right by me. At the time I had my cosmo and margarita, my standard "test out a new bar" drinks. Both drinks are quite on the sweet side, and you can definitely taste the alcohol. The cosmo, interestingly, I think had a little salt mixed in it, which did provide an interesting dimension to the overall flavor. So, I've had drinks that are blended a little more artfully, but these do fine. Oh, and the sweet potato fries are extremely yummy, those creamy sauces they come with, one lemon and one maple, are delish. There were platters of other foods, nachos and empanadas and the like, but I shied away from them because of my crippling aversion to cilantro. I guess yeah, the main issue for me was price... although I suppose if you're doing the small, local beer kind of thing you shouldn't expect a bargain. Oh, but they do pack on the PBR. Hipsters. Feh.

Minnie Y.

Being in this place is like being in a hipster pinball machine. I loved it because it reminded me of the BK. Went to this place after I met a designer who said that this bar was a great place to be on a Tuesday night. (I have yet to go on a Tuesday) The cocktails are yummy. My waitress (sarah) was so much fun and recommended even more delicious cocktails to our group. My boyfriend got a beer sampler and was in heaven. The music was great. Only thing that wasn't so great was a group of people that were sitting outside on the "patio" (aka quartered off section of the sidewalk) that looked at our group of people which so much 'tude, it was laughable. I'll be returning though. If only to return the glare to that group of people.

Mandy C.

A few blocks down 18th street towards Racine, you will find some interesting graffiti - 'yuppie scum get out of pilsen'- that really encapsulates the interesting dynamic going on in the neighborhood. Here's the deal: I've lived in Pilsen for 5 years and oh, how I have longed for a neighborhood bar that is not Skylark! Other reviewers here seem to love Skylark and hate Simone's because it is not Skylark. Since I find the bartenders at Skylark to be almost as rude as those at Rainbo, Simone's is a godsend. Is it a neighborhood bar? No, but it is a cool spot with good beer, decent cocktails, bad food and lots of eye candy. Friendly staff, hipsters and uber-hip decor. What's not to like? Just eat somewhere else... Now, if we can just get an actual neighborhood bar like the Map Room or Goldstar, I'll be happy.

Mike G.

I'm sitting in this bar right now it took 20 minutes for our four beers and one cocktail and were sitting at a table. I live close by and this was our first time here...I won't be back. Plus I paid $6 dollars in cash and the rest on credit, the server (Michael I believe) just took the $6 in cash as his tip, and put the bill's total on my credit card. He assumed without asking or checking that the 6 dollars was his tip. Big mistake, I corrected him and left no tip. Your welcome

Casey L.

I have been to Simone's a few times and was pleased with the music, decor and the atmosphere. The food needs some major help though...the only thing I really like is the veggie tempura and the honey mustard chicken sandwich. The beer on the other hand is great!!! I love that they have a wide rang of beers and are reasonably priced. The staff needs some help as well. I was yelled at because I wanted to look a drink menu and take it to a near by table. The bartender yelled and practically slapped my hand saying "Don't take that away from the bar... I don't want you to loose it," First of all don't try to slap me and yell at me!! Second i am not your child...BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!! So when I explained to her that I was not going to take the drink menu, she still proceeded to watch me intensely like I was a thief.... come on.. it is just a damn menu!!! Then when I was ready to place my order she didn't have anything to do with me!!! She looked the other way and proceeded to help the men who were next to me. I mean really... get some class, stop being so rude and grow up!! I live in the area and was really excited to see a new bar open up, but I have not been pleased the last 3 times I have been there... I will give it another try only because I liked the beer!!

Linnea B.

Love the decor. The food is good, the service excellent. This is a long bus ride for me but worth it. I have friends who live or work in the area and they are very excited about this great new addition to the neighborhood.

Chocolate H.

One of my favorite bar. Good music, good food, and latino hipsters.

L B.

I like to go there for their cocktails, highly recommend them, nice atmosphere, friendly manager, and as far as food is concerned, SWEET POTATO FRIES!!!!!!!!!!!! sooo yummy, Also, I feel comfortable recommending soups, the steak salad. Overall, a retro bar with a twist, very original and comfy.

Craig H.

This is a great neighborhood bar. The staff is friendly, the food has a unique twist, and the atmosphere is great.

Isabel A.

They have kick ass portobello fries....YUM!!!!!!

liz d.

Great to have this type of bar in the neighborhood. The packed bar shows how much it is appreciated. The decor is funky, being made from all recycled materials. Booth seats are not the norm. You actually sit on a row of old seat belts. The creativity of the decor is quite impressive. Great beer selection of micro brews, but a little pricey. That, I was disappointed in. After hanging in the bar a bit, we snagged a seat to try out the food menu. (the seating is all on your own. find someone leaving and grab their table). Although the server was sweet as can be, she was terrible. Not only was it hard to track her down, she kept bringing us the wrong drinks. Not just one order, but every single time we ordered a drink, it was different. On the 3rd time, we gave up and just drank what she brought. I will definitely try again, and I know the prices won't change, but hopefully the service is better.

Cara N.

Simone's offers a nice dose of yuppie goodness that is close to my home. I enjoy the variety of beers (especially the IPAs) and appreciate that they also offer the nostalgic Pabst Blue Ribbon tall boys. The interior is modern, eclectic and the atmosphere oozes urban cool. I've visited this spot on multiple occasions (for dinner and for late night drinks and a bite). The burgers, empanadas and pretty much all of their appetizers rock. If I were to judge Simone's on the F&B alone, I would give it 4 or 5 stars for sure. What I don't appreciate is the attitude. It's as if they're doing you a favor by waiting on you if aren't wearing a plaid shirt or ride a ten speed. I'm in the event industry and often times want to stop somewhere low key after an opening or networking soiree for a beer and good bar food. If I got snubbed once, I'd figure maybe it was a bad night and let it go. But it's happened on more than one occasion so I've since stopped going all together. For instance, when I asked for a beer recommendation (b/c I wanted to try something a little different) the server was flip, didn't ask what other types of beers I like to get any sort of palate range, and immediately suggested a $30-40 lambic. She nodded her head 'convincingly' without describing it and says, "It's really good." When I ordered something else, her 'charm' dissolved and she disappeared for a good 20 minutes while our glasses sat empty. It's ironic that in a gentrified neighborhood like Pilsen that has been ever-changing since the late 19th century, this crew of bartenders/servers/artists would treat certain patrons as if they don't belong based upon appearance. Maybe I should start shopping at Urban Outfitter and American Apparel and see what kind of service I get then.. Just sayin...

Ted o.

HAHAHA....SECOND REVIEW...I AIM HIGH!...What can i say...first off.....the beer selection rivals ANY bar in the city ...what it lacks in sheer size it more than makes up for with refreshing depth and care... I love the esoteric selection of draught and bottle selection that this place has.....i have only seen Hitachino at the Map ROom......so imagine the mirth I felt perusing the great, varied Beer selections.........the staff are great, full of enthusiasm and deserve extra praise....when one of our party was done drinking, she instantly asked if they wanted water, a soft drink.....very hospitable instead of giving the all-to-familiar-vibe of many places in the city..you know...the ones that treat anyone NOT drinking like a mirage?....visually, this place is very enthralling.....does anyone know the name of the designer of this space?....kudos!....while i did not eat here...(except liquid bread).....tables around us had food that was looking and smelling VERY good.....us people south of Roosevelt Rd can now claim equality, as far as establishments of truly great BEER are concerned....its like this place has already sent a signal to me, telepathically......."Ground Control to Major Ted...............................................­..................................................­...........................................a very European style of a place...devoid of pretense....chock-full-of-comfort....UPDATO.....­after several visit back i can highly recommend the great food.....the pizzas are great crispy discs with fresh toppings....sweet potato fries have great flavor with 2 great dipping sauces..lemony honey and sweet maple..so good....portabello fries and veggie tempura go great with the great beers.....Pilsen burger is great.....i love the raw jalapeno and aguacate on it...tres leches cake is way rich...very good indeed.....great hot fudge sundae.....family friendly....

Angela C.

1 star for the waitstaff which are awesome. 1 star for having ephemere in 750 ml form. food was decent. decor was horrendous and a little scary i must add. i felt like i was in one of pee wee herman's nightmares. if you wanna drink head up to skylark.

frank v.

As someone who spent his first ten years of his life as a Pilsen Resident I hope this place does well. The interior is well done and the clientele was a nice mix of brown, white, asian and black. The music is a nice eclectic mix and it has the cleanest restrooms in Pilsen( probably because they're new). Next time I go I'm flirting with the waitress with hopes of her reciprocating. Check it out for yourself. No need for tattoos, black rimmed glasses and money for the photo booth. You might need to shower though.

January C.

I really love the pinball theme and I would say the execution was nearly perfect. Everything is custom made and beautiful. The pinball displays above the booths could use a few flashing lights for effect, but thats my only suggestion for physical improvement. The cocktail list is interesting and the beer selection is impressive without being overwhelming. I think the food menu could be improved. The menu is standard bar fare, some items a little more interesting than others. They have some Mexican influenced items that I think they should eliminate. They're located in a Mexican neighborhood.......being infiltrated by hipsters, so maybe they should focus on the crowd that the rest of the bar seems to want to attract. Leave the mexican food to all the really great taquerias and restaurants along 18th and come up with something unique. If they put as much effort into their food menu as their drink menu and their decor, they could win awards. Having said that, I did have a really tasty blue cheeseburger with a mix of sweet potato and regular fries. I'm scared to come here on a weekend for fear of being immersed in a shoulder to shoulder fashion show set to an indie rock soundtrack, but I'll definitely come back during the week sometime.

Karen L.

It is very rare that I walk into a bar and find it as amazing at I did with Simone's. It was the decor and everything that went into it... everything in the place was decorated with recycled or restored material. It made the bar all the more intriguing with the light fixtures made with old glass bottles, the tables constructed with old bowling alley lanes and pinball machines... It was overall just so amazing to see how they put it all together. It was also very spacious and had a very comfortable feel to it. We only had drinks, but I believe they have some good food, too. I will have to say that had a nice beer menu. The only drawback is it is in Pilsen. Kind of a hike for me and really, there is not much around there. It does draw in a pretty diverse crowd, which is refreshing to me. The night we were there the DJ who was working was playing all 80s music so the group I was with was in 80s heaven. If you haven't checked it out, it is worth the trek down to that part of town. My recommendation: Dinner at Nightwood and then drinks at Simone's.

Adrienne I.

great atmosphere filled with recycled materials (such as tables, light fixtures, exc). great burgers and beer.

Olivia L.

I was sitting here with some friends, and we were trying to decide if we really liked or disliked this place. I was leaning toward not liking it, but then I said, screw it, this place is actually really great, and any reason you might be inclined to dislike it is actually just pretension. I feel like if i still lived in Ukrainian Village I'd be almost "obligated" to hate it, seeing it as one of the Lincoln Park-esque/north sidey places that are overtaking everything there, but I think Simone's a good addition to Pilsen. They have a really nice selection of very good beers at nice prices, as well as wines and cocktails. The interiors are pretty neat to look at--all sorts of old gaming things--not really sure why it's decorated like that/didn't really get the concept but overall, it was pretty cool. Music was fun and upbeat with artists I love like Hot Chip, Basement Jaxx, Estelle...unexpected to hear at a public place in Pilsen and a welcome respite. And, lo, they serve lunch! What a godsend for the many of us that work from home that would like a non-Mexican lunch at some point (love my tacos and burritos, but something different would be nice every once and a while). When I was entering, a Hispanic gentleman was having a talk with the doorguy and more or less was asking if the Hispanic contingent of Pilsen was allowed, which I thought was unfortunate, but the doorguy was really enthusiastic about saying that everyone in the neighborhood should come and feel welcome....and the mix of people was pretty good--hipsters, preppy UICers, and some older Hispanic guys. I also think it's a great addition that strip of 18th--a nice place to go if you live in East Pilsen but don't want to go all the way to Skylark. I remember hearing back in December that this place was going to be opening in 2009, but I was a little skeptical if it would due to the economy. But based on how bustling it's been the past few days and my likelihood of coming back, it seems like it might be a success, and I'll say that a successful new bar in Pilsen, regarldess of whether it feels a little "north sidey" or not, is a positive thing.

Lucy R.

Love this place. Great place to unwind after work. Low key but good entertainment. The wait staff is helpful and honest. Great food, especially the sweet potato fries, curry chicken sandwiches, and pizza. Interesting drink selection. I go there just to look at the painting of the Abominal Snow Beast.

Courtney B.

I had heard that Simone's was 100% recycled which sounded cool. I wanted to check it out while I was in the area. I happened to sit down at the bar right next to a manager (doing the books) who was able to tell me what everything was made of, as I was curious. He pointed out the bar and bar stools were made from a bowling alley, the booth seats are made of seats belts, etc.. Its fun just to look around the place. Very different decor. I tend to judge a lot of places on their bloody marys so of course I had to try one. It was late in the afternoon and I could tell my bartender was sort of scrambling to see if he had any mix left. My new manager buddy went down to the basement to grab some extra mixes and the cheese and pickles that went with it- very accomodating! I like that they have a jalepeno flavored vodka of some sort that they use in their BMs along with a lot of other pretty spicy ingredients. Nice kick! I have to apologize, bartender guy, if you read this, for starting a domino effect at the bar. Several other people saw mine and then they wanted one also. Such a pain. But they were cool about it and very friendly. A nice stop for an afternoon cocktail.

T W.

I loved this place. I wanted to try so many items on the menu. We all loved our drinks and food. However, the white sangria wasn't that great.

Clover Dan ..

that guy sam sucks.

Tom B.

This is a great bar that definitely stands out in this neighborhood. It is a great place for cocktails and craft beers. The interior is definitely fresh and there is plenty of room in this place. Waitstaff kicks some ass as well. Food is not that impressive sadly. Oh how nice it would be to have good bar food here. This place is a regular in my rotation. Always good times and I can stumble home drunk from here.

Lisa C.

Wonderful beer variety! The food is a bit above average for bar food, and the space inside is interestingly decorated and large. I dig this spot.

Scott W.

Great to see a nice bar in Pilsen. It has some Pilsen charm mixed that should make pilsen locals enjoy the bar.

Mike W.

Not to sure what all the posative reviews on this place are all about. I might some friends at the place on two different occasions and each time there might have been a total of four people dining/drinking. I am the type of guy that really likes his imports but at this place it is really really hard to find something that is remotely like any import you have every had. Beer is extremely expensive (average $7 to $9 a bottle) and the decor is an extremely tacky 70's look.. Very very very homely looking waitresses ours actually had the sides of her head shaved!!! I sbsolutely hate drinking PBR'S but comared to all the other brews these are like pure heaven considering they do not have ANY domestic beers. This place is not your typical PilSen bar and it is still kind of a new thing but honestly I don't see this place surviving the way it is.. Save your money and go somewhere else! Last time there it was me and a buddy and we each had two regular size beers and it cost us $43 (tip included for bartender) NO FOOD!

Umair N.

Me and a friend tried this place for the first time. I really liked it and it was my first time in the Pilsen neighborhood. I got a Pilsen burger and a Purple Drank. The tavern looks like an arcade with the way it is designed. The service was great and so was the food I really want to go back!

Mark N.

Love this bar in Pilsen, cool decorating with old pinball machine parts, bowling alley mechanical equipment, and the odd industrial piece here and there. Food and beer prices are good. Bartenders are always friendly.

Gregory M.

My go-to neighborhood bar. Good drinks, decent service at the bar, and good bar food. Good place to hang out.

Gel R.

I'm so confused by this place. I live down the street and when I moved here, my friends from around the area claimed I would LOVE it. Here I am, two years later, still only going here because it's one of the only places on 18th I can go and get something other than Mexican food, and still questioning why I didn't just get a burrito instead. The environment is ok, nobody has ever been rude or pretentious to me. But nobody has ever gone out of their way to make my experience above average. Great beer list, can be kinda pricy. Food is just okay, nothing special. Regular standard bar food, in my opinion. This place is cool to look at, but it's nothing special.

Cecilia B.

This place is alright, I wouldn't say its the best place I've been to but its alright. I met some friends there for drinks and it also happened to be Trivia Night. That was cool, its a pretty big place, I enjoyed the food. I had the Nachos, and they were pretty good. The drinks were strong, I liked that, I had the paloma, tequila and grapefruit soda, It was strong. It seem standard, it wasnt that impressive but its was meh, alright.

William S.

Great bloody mary. Always a great beer selection and of course the bar's design is very cool.

Laura K.

Solid neighborhood place; always packed. Good food with a nice variety. Nothing mind-blowing, just good food at a good price. Cool vintage video game theme without being too kitschy. This was a place that was in Pilsen even before it became "hip". Divvy bikes right out front!

Luis A.

Good to see my old neighborhood has a choice of decent bars to go to, unfortunately Simones is not one of of them. No place removes so many negative reviews like this establishment otherwise they would be around the 2 star marker. At first this looks like a hip place to go with the mixed crowd of hipsters to local gang bangers, yuppies to suburban psychopaths. I have been here several times and the food is ok but the service inconsistent. The beer is good but the wine not served in a generous amount. Also, this place operates in a high crime area but it only hires one bouncer and he is primarily check IDs, so a conceal and carry is highly recommend in case you need it. So overall I would recommend to go somewhere else or drink in the safety and comfort of your home and invite some friends over.

Lily Z.

An old high school friend and my cousin wanted to catch up over a meal, so I suggested Simone's. I've heard good things and it's relatively close, so why not? They had a special for $5 nachos and we each ordered a burger. My Ahi Tuna burger was delicious. A bit no-frills, but at $9? I'm not complaining! The fries were pretty good too. The atmosphere was relaxed, but unfortunately we were there during Trivia night. I'm not against trivia, but the host was making inappropriate jokes and dominated our meal. If I had known it was trivia night, I would have suggested some other place. Service was alright. It was hard to flag down any help because we were in the corner booth. We met only a few days before the horrific stabbing, so it's kind of surreal.

Patty C.

I came here for lunch on a Thursday, and it was pretty quiet. My friend and I shared 6 empanadas (2 spinach, 2 chicken, and 2 black bean). She ordered the Pilsen pizza, and I had the smoked salmon salad. The empanadas were okay. I enjoyed the dipping sauces that came with the empanadas, especially the yogurt like one. My friend's Pilsen pizza that was recommended by our server for being unique had black beans, ground beef, jalapeños, and cheese. It was basically a burrito on a crust. The crust was too dry, thick, and hard. My smoked salmon salad was near inedible. The smoked salmon was shredded on top a bed of spinach with almond slice, mandarin wedges, and a few pieces of beets. The smoked salmon did not go well with the salad. The spinach was too old and bitter. The citrus dressing was very bland. It was basically orange juice with olive oil. I barely touched my salad. I came back from lunch somewhat still hungry. The server was friendly, but super slow. I will not be back.

Shereene M.

This is a pretty cool bar with fun decor. I wonder if they have actual pinball machines to play?! I never made it out of my booth. Anyway, drinks were fine but the board games definitely were the best part of the experience. I love a good drinks + games time with friends.

Lily S.

This place was amazing! My husband and I visited it for the first time (after living in Pilsen now for nearly two years!) on this past Sunday, and we're definitely heading back. Fun decor, awesome music, cool architecture, perfect lighting, and excellent menu and service. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Perfect for a first date or even if you're just wanting a good meal out on the town.

Tiffany H.

Nice spot with electric decor. The food was good and price was decent. I had the veggie burger. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Restrooms were clean. Came to get up with some old friends. The server was unique. She took half the tables orders and disappeared. When their food came out she took the rest of the tables orders. It was nice that she was able to split the bill. But we needed items napkins drinks water etc and she was nowhere to be found. It's a nice neighborhood spot.

Brenda H.

I loved the interior and the music (on a Friday night) but considering I don't drink, I can only review the food. I started off with the fried pickles and was not impressed. The pickles are too big for that wee little tempura! It became mush and it was all weird after a while.. so much went wrong in the end! I also ordered a burger and that went better. It's not a bad burger by any means but it wasn't anything worth writing home about, either. Maybe my expectations were too high, I don't know. I wouldn't hesitate to go back but I wouldn't make the mistake of coming on an empty stomach again. I might take a risk and order something else, just to say that I did it. The crowd was weird.. yea, not sure how to explain that--you'd have to see it for yourself. Old, young, all types of people.. and no one was singing along with me when ATCQ played. I felt so old.. and young.. at the same time! Our waitress couldn't be bothered to provide good service, we had to stop her in her tracks most of the night. It irked me, I won't deny it.. but I won't knock them for it, either. I think if it happens again, I'll start to question if it's me and my non-alcoholic ways. Maybe I was TOO sober, could that be it?

Irene F.

Came here cause skylark didn't open till later. This place in one word Basic. There are better burgers at skylark than here. The burgers aren't hand made they're round frozen patties served on a pretzel bun - not exciting . The waitresses were also unwelcoming - they were just like I'm here lemme take your order - this is just a gig till I move back to Wheaton , il or Michigan I don't care if you tip me or not , my parents are still gonna send me money . They also had basic tattoos , rockabilly looks - it's just whatever - not interesting . I was confused to who was my server I had two ladies waiting on me - one took my drink order than the other took my food order - get organized . The nachos were messy with watery black beans and not enough look to it , whatever happened to the olives and all that other stuff that used to come on them. Oh and I understand people can bring your kids wherever you please but take them somewhere else, I don't wanna listen to your kid cry about how he wants juice and stare at me while I'm talking about my non existing sex life ! The mix fries were cold and the grease needed to be changed / I immediately had to use the bathroom after I ate - I think someone didn't handle the food properly or the grease made me get the Hershey's

Vianey A.

Sweet potato fries. When ever I'm craving them and I'm too lazy to make them myself, this is where I end up. Always. I've had different experiences different days of the week. But no matter what, I'll always end up coming back here for my usual- Pilsen burger and sweet potato fries. Of course, as most everyone has mentioned, Sundays are always very fun with it being karaoke night. If it's a holiday weekend be sure to get there EARLY because it will get packed.

Joe O.

its a love and hate relationship with simones, one day is great another day is bad. the bartenders and servers are friendly but nothing to writte home about. the food is good. drinks are good but a little expensive.

Randall S.

Bouncers followed me to the rest room, very awkward. Too many expensive drinks, not the best drinks. No.

Debora M.

I would give zero stars if I could. First off, there was a line to get in, really? We're on 18th street, the place wasn't even full when we went in ( just so happened that our spot in line was by the kitchen door, a guy comes out and recognizes my hubby, friends from H.S or something, so we got to skip the line) Anyways, we get in and the back of the place is completely empty. We walk towards the bar and everyone is just jam packed by the bar (maybe because it takes forever to get a drink?) We finally get the bartender's attention, after about 15 minutes and it was awful. We asked for some beers, corona or something along those lines, the bartender was rude and threw a menu at us saying they don't have regular beer, which was totally fine, but why the need to be so rude? After that it took us a good 20 minutes to be able to order again. This place is so pretentious and I was really hoping it would be the opposite of a downtown bar/club where you get douchebags at the door and behind the bar. It's safe to say we won't be going there again.

Jean B.

1st time here after nearly a year in Pilsen and I'm not sure if I'll ever go back. My experience started off by waiting 5mins for a menu which never came. After watching 2 other parties be greeted and offered menus I finally had to get up and ask one of the cooks for one. Then another 10mins passed before someone finally noticed I was in need of service. Meanwhile others who'd sat down after me already had drinks at their table. When the check arrived I paid with a credit card and in return was given a receipt with an empty pen casing. One would assume I was to sign and leave a tip, but at this point and after such abyssal service, I felt no need in chasing down said waitress, whom I guess was way too busy to be bothered with customer service, for a functioning pen and instead headed home. My food and drinks were great. I just wish the service would've been half as good.

Jessica G.

Food is good! Beer selection is poor and the music is alright. I guess I just personally think this place is trying to hard to be cool and hipster so I just won't be going back.

Rosario T.

Don't order mix drinks here, I suggest sticking to beer. The place is cool, futuristic, electric theme. Good music on Friday and Saturday nights, karaoke on Sunday's if your into that. Very hipster, I suggest it if that's your scene.

Rachel P.

I went here for the first time last night with some of my neighbors to get in on trivia night (Tuesdays at 8 pm!). We had a large group of 9, and our server was happy to grab some extra chairs and let us arrange our seating as we wanted. Interesting drinks on the cocktail list - I had a Tattooed Pumpkin (Sailor Jerry rum, pumpkin liqueur, and cream, with a graham cracker rim), followed by a Vander Mill Totally Roasted (toasted pecan and vanilla) hard cider, in a can, which is new to me. You can find craft brews right alongside your PBRs here as well. The pumpkin drink was delicious and deadly, burned so good and definitely can only have one of those on a work night, I'll also take a water, thanks! $5 nachos for the Tuesday special were very good - chips, salsa, pico de gallo, beans, sour cream; you can add meat for a couple bucks more too if you want, and there is a different deal daily. The menu looked pretty decent, American pub grub style, good options for vegetarians and carnivores alike, and reasonably priced (apps under $10, sandwiches/entrees slightly more). I also noticed the fries automatically came mixed (sweet potato and regular), so you don't have to choose, although the group felt the regular fries were slightly better than the sweet potato fries. The restaurant itself appeared clean, in good condition, had some cool art on the walls, and according to my neighbor, almost everything is made of recycled materials (urban legend, truth? IDK), but I would at least believe that about the booth benches for sure. They are not so much a cushioned seat as a series of what appears to be seatbelts stitched together, and have the supremely annoying quality of absorbing the shock of the rhinoceros in the next booth slamming his ass down after handing in each trivia answer, nearly launching those of us less than 150 lbs into the ceiling, and making me consider slicing one of those seatbelt straps into an actual lap restraint. Poor seating design, but also poor manners from the jagalope behind us. Overall, good food, good deal, good time, will return, and I do advise you stop by as well if you're in the area.

Micah P.

Come on Simone's... What happened? You used to be so cool with your arcade theme, loud music, and local beers... Don't get me wrong, you still have those things, but tonight, you ruined our friendship. You stepped on too many toes tonight. First and foremost: You allowed babies and children into the bar. I am not talking about a younger crowd of legal drinkers... I am talking about actual babies and children. Why do you employ a bouncer/ID Verifier if he is going to allow children into a bar? Second: Why instruct your servers to inquire how a patron would like their meat cooked and then forgo any instruction and cook all meats to a well done state? There is a reason the people request their meat cooked to different degrees of "done". Those (like me) who request medium rare like their burgers to be pink and juicy in the middle. When you become accustomed to that style, well done meat tastes very dry and becomes hard to eat. Third: Your French Fries are dried out and withered. I ate no more than 5... Ketchup didn't even help them. They reminded me of when you were a kid and you found that old McDonalds fry in the back seat of your parents car... You thought you found magic but it turned out to taste like styrofoam.

Arni F.

Gone are the days when this place was a hipster way station amongst the Mexican public houses of the yesteryear. Now, I hope that they have that little infestation problem under control, you know the one about the little bug who's too high on reefer to even walk? Yeeeeah. So come on in during the week for some good eats and relatively cheap beer to be had while you talk about jail sentencing with your old friend, and your own problems with those loved ones who don't want to talk about what's wrong :((. Le siiiiigh. Well you. Get the idea. Ah. Nostalgia. The food is almost always great, and if it ain't the alcoholic choices make up for it. Or if that can't motivate you maybe getting buzzed to the varied music being played: yes to the New Order and yes to Peter schilling's Major Tom! Anyway, you can't got wrong with the chicken nachos and the drink specials. Yes, it's a bit more than I wanted to spend, but gots to contribute to the changing face of Pilsen, now don't we, children?

Niti B.

I love this place! I come when ever I'm looking to have a drink in this neighborhood. The beers are great and the service is so nice. I always order the empanadas which leave you very satisfied. I have the blackbean which comes with a sweet and savory cranberry dipping sauce. A unique combination that leaves you wanting more. The nachos and mixed fries are just as good and I would probably vouch for most anything else on the menu. On tuesday nights they do trivia which can be fun way to relax and enjoy the evening. With the decor being super eclectic and fun this place overall a great local hang out spot!

Aeri B.

When we went they were a little understaffed so it took a while for us to be served, however once we were it was great. The manager was our server and he took great care of us. We had the quinoa pizza and some hot wings. The pizza was amazing. And it was my first time having quinoa. The wings were okay to me, but my friend really enjoyed them. I'm just picky about wings lol. We came on a Sunday afternoon and the manager said they would be having karaoke at 10 so we decided to come back and enjoy. Really great crowd at karaoke and the stage makes it feel like you're Britney Spears live on tour in London. Awesome lol. Try the mystery shot for 3 bucks too. It was odd that day but hey who can beat a cheap unknown shot lol. Def will be coming back for karaoke.

Angie K.

Simone's = hipster heaven. I used to work an extremely stressful job nearby which meant I had plenty of happy hours to arrange! My coworkers and I visited about 8-10xs and mostly for the NACHOS! Yeah, I've had nachos at a dozen other places but I'm pretty sure Simone's throws a little bit of crack in these. Everyone that I has ever tried them became instantly addicted. Lacing the nachos with addictive drugs is the only logical explanation I can think of. Aside from the legendary NACHOS, they have awesome portobello fries, sweet potato fries, quesadillas, fries mozzarella squares and hummus plate. Thanks to Simone's, I became introduced to Golden Monkey, the best tasting 9% alc beer ever. Only 2 beers and you're good for the night (at least for me). The price for the beer is really reasonable and throughout the week, their drink specials can't be beat. The atmosphere is always super chill with crowds ranging from off-duty doctors, waif Pilsen hipsters, UIC kids or groups of 30 y/os requiring an exorbitant amount of liq due to stressful work. The decor throughout the bar is awesome since most of the bar, walls and chandelier art is made from vintage pinball and arcade machines. The staff is cool but a couple of times I've been, they've been off. Maybe I'm ordering too many drinks to keep up? The wine also sucks here. I've tried pretty much all of them and never enjoyed a single one. But that just teaches me that you can't expect good wine at spots like this. No worries, I will definitely be back for NACHOS again!!

Andrew L.

Everything is made of pinball machines! Let that sink in for a sec... Okay, the music selection was questionable but I can understand given the theme...it was the 80s version of dubstep if that makes sense. Like it was relevant then but by 2000 everyone should have just forgetten it even existed for the good of mankind. Here it is though, today, and it's still is awful. This is coming from a man, btw, who still knows every word to more Backstreet Boys songs than anyone in his right mind should admit. What I'm saying is that even though it was awful, I can understand how these things happen. The music gets it's claws into your brain when you're young, before you know better, and then 30 years later your brain hears it and says "Hey I know this song! I FUCKING LOVE THIS SONG!!!" And 7-14 year old you has a blast taking over your sophisticated, well adjusted, definitely not that lame anymore adult self. I get it. It's happened to me. I've been there. Anyways... Where was I? Oh yeah, yelp review. Okay so Mondays they have 6$ pizza and pbr. You'd think for that price it would be some shitty Celeste type pizza right? It was actually really good though, crisp and fluffy crust, fresh ingredients, enough to split between 2 people. Great beer list, short but full of great choices. Steve and Chris were both super cool guys, they answered all of my annoying questions with patience. Thanks guys! 47/26 would recommend to a dying relative.

Amy T.

First time here and it was pretty impressive. You can't beat the experience of being able to watch Bruce Lee while enjoying your chat with your party. Somehow, the way people sit around with computers give me the impression this is more of a coffee shop without the coffee. It's totally fine and a refreshing feel going into a pub that have people working on stuff while they enjoy their favorite drink. The food here was pretty impressive. I only ordered the chicken and black beans quesadilla. The portion was pretty generous. Skin was crispy (love crispy food). I'm totally thinking of coming back for another try on an actual meal instead of appetizer only. The decor was pretty awesome too! I love how they had pinball machine boards mounted on the wall. It's totally something I don't see around in pubs.

Sean R.

The ambience and decor of the hip little bar is fantastic! Decorated in most graffiti and pin ball machines it has a very unique style. The bartender was cool, chatted us up for a few when he could. The beer menu is a bit on the weak side, unless you only like IPAs. I don't.

Braydan H.

Simone's is terrific! I live a block away and order pickup on the regular degular. I always get a burger or a Blt, which are both scrumdidilumcious! Unless it's Sunday morning, I get their brunch, which is also phenoms. It's also a great bar at night. It's always hopping like the bars of yester years. The whole bar is made from recycled and reused products. They play retro movies and music. I always order the Vander Mill cider and I'm feeling crunk after two. The staff are all very friendly and hip!

Avinash K.

So, we were in the area to spend the night and we just happened to go to this bar. The drinks were pretty good, it was crowded. We also got something to munch on, while we were drinking. The waitress was very prompt and got us drinks fast.

Reuben H.

I have loved Simone's for quite some time, and for being what it is and doing what it does well. Obviously targeting the infiltration of "newbies" to the Pilsen scene - I'll just put it that way instead of diving into touchy subjects like gentrification, racial/cultural integration, etc. - Simone's is just a great bar in general which offers a good beer selection, a good amount of boozy options, and a very unique space with lots of isolated booths and spots to congregate and mingle. Another thing to note - their vegetarian/vegan friendly bar food is really pretty good. I've had quite a few vegetarian friends state they go out of their way to come to Simone's just because they know they have a lot more food options than your typical bar. It isn't all vegetarian, but what I have eaten here has been pretty good. My most recent trip here was on a great Sunday afternoon with a group of about nine of us bouncing around town by bicycle. Divvy station is located right outside their front door - which as it happens to be - makes Simone's a great destination spot by bicycle with a lot of bike-friendly roads leading towards 18th Street. Plus, with the weather reaching tolerable levels - Simone's will eventually open up onto their side street area for patio seating. Not a day too soon, if you ask me.

Daniel G.

Nice LGBT friendly cafe in Pilsen. Yesterday I had a cup of the tasty tomato bisque soup. Warm decor with atmosphere and a cool fireplace. Non-metered street parking. Reasonable prices. My steak sandwich wasn't that great. Hi to Kyle.

Tiffany R.

Cool neighborhood bar not uptight like the river north crowd. Good affordable food. The crowd has gotten a little on the young side.

Delightful D.

Average food, the fried pickles were pretty good but steak sandwich was dry and lacked flavor. I did enjoy the ambiance and drink specials. The bartenders are awesome. I would return for a drink but not food.

Brittany W.

I had the tuna steak burger with fries and it was delicious. Love the design of the place but the music was so loud even the server could barely hear the order.

Erika G.

Just okay. I went here for an art show, and while the art was GREAT, I'm not sure about this venue to display art. I was hoping they had a separate, more gallery-like room. No such luck. Art on walls, around bar, very busy room. We got our drinks, and my vodka cranberry tasted weird. Mildew-y. Dirty tubes? Well cocktails are pretty inexpensive at $5, but if they taste weird, it's no bargain. I did not have the food, only a drink. People seem to like the food, it may be worth popping in to sample that. There's not many options in Pilsen, but if I'm down there again, I'll opt for the Skylark instead.

Lupe A.

Great service, thanks Steve for your relaxed and friendly attitude. Good music, variety of beer and meals. Comfortable vibe.

Corey R.

So I thought the second time I came to this place, it would be as good as it was last time. I ordered the pilsen burger because I love this neighborhood. I also ordered a lagunitas beer. The problem I had was that the server forgot my beer twice and was making remarks about other customers. The burger was worth the price. There was a waitress with glasses who catered to me more than my server. I just wanted a beer and a burger! Other than that, I would say be weary about coming here. It's good food except it's a bit or a miss with the server.

Danny W.

If there were a school for Bar And Grills in Chicago Simone's would definitely be the weird kid in class. It's not your typical décor, vibe, or menu but if you ever hang out in Pilsen it certainly fits the neighborhood bill of being unique and cool. The interior is (I wanna say) chic/antique with all sorts of art throughout, they've got a brag-worthy beer list, and the service is fun and friendly. Definitely worth doing at least a drink if you're down in this area. The food is pretty standard fare, but definitely strays from the same old with their pizzas. They do one with quinoa and one with potatoes, parmesan and rosemary simple syrup which I don't think I've ever seen in my crust loving career. Overall it's pretty awesome. Especially if like me you get sick of everything in Chicago being a Big Ten bar.

Harold B.

Not a bad spot. Saw that they had mozzarella sticks and ordered some immediately. When they came, I saw that they were in squares. I was a little disappointed because I prefer sticks and nothing else. However, they were still delicious. I MIGHT order them again should I find myself here in the future.

Peter L.

Every thing on the menu is under $10. Extensive beer list. Tons of room so you don't feel crowded. Friendly and attentive service. Food is good. They split our check 4 ways with no complaining. The fries come as a mix of sweet potato and regular fries so let them know if you want all one type or another when you order. We just moved to Pilsen and finally got around to trying Simone's. Wish we would have made it over here sooner.

theresa k.

A gem of a Chicago bar, more personality than all the weridos that go there, including me. Music is good, beers nice, (LAKEFRONT FIXED GEAR) and their vegetarian foods are legit. This place is huge and always crowded so get in early or get over yo'self.

Max B.

Extremely slow service... Sweet potato fries were absolutely delicious. Ordered a medium well burger it came over cooked with a burnt taste that left me unable to enjoy it... Asked for it to be corrected waited over 20 mins for someone to return. It was taken off the bill. Nice but I'm hungry. Would of been nice to redo the burger. It's my first visit and most likely my last...

Selena L.

There's not much to say that probably hasn't already been said about the majority of bars out there. The food was simply "meh" and the service wasn't much better. The buffalo wings were dry and unflavored so I doused them in ranch. The pizza and empanadas weren't much different. Just bleh all around.

Den M.

Decided to try Simone's and so glad we did. Simone has a good vibe, friendly people, drinks were strong and good. Music was good too. From the door to the bar, service was nice. Didn't try the food but DEF planned on going back.

Claudia S.

This update has been sitting here, because I never feel like finishing it. However, Simone's just turned 4 which means, I really should update my review(s). You know what they did for this special occasion? They raffled off a damn trip to NY (just from buying something!), among other prizes. A TRIP TO NY! That's how they thanked their customers. I've been coming here from the start. A bar has to be pretty impressive to keep me coming back, especially because it isn't a hop, skip and a jump away (unlike some of their associated bars), but Simone's is still one of my favorite spots. Once, after a break-up, one of their bartenders offered to help me sell these gifts I bought and then proceeded to give me their opinion on any guy I talked to. Coming here, I felt at home. So much so, I once left my laptop behind the bar and didn't realize it until later. They were lookin' out though! They also helped me out when I got DRENCHED on my first bike ride, which occurred during a ridiculously bad storm. Still lookin' out! Most people who know me know I'll go to bars alone. I don't give a fuuuuu -- wait, I don't care. If you're a social person, you'll certainly find people here to chat with. If you're not, you'll certainly find people here who will leave you alone. It's just one of those bars. Good food, nice beer selection and considering it's the only place I'll have cocktails, they've got a pretty sweet selection of liquor too! 4 years later and I still smile every time I walk in. Haters gonna hate...but that's ok, because it means I can still get a seat at the bar, and really, that's all that matters.

Alexis J.

In the food industry, it's really easy to get lost when it's busy. While I don't know the details of tonight (perhaps they were short staffed, or overwhelmed?), what I do know is that I asked for a medium rare steak sandwich with fries. What I received was a well done steak sandwich, with stale fries; the fries were so hard, my jaw hurt from chewing. I like the beer selection, but their food really isn't anything to jump up and over about. And, again, if I ask for something, and am not given what I asked for, what's the point of asking, "how would you like it cooked?"

Elizabeth A.

I'm not a bar person at all but I'd come back here for the atmosphere and food. They have awesome fries (yup, fries!) and really nice ambiance. They also have board games so you don't have to make awkward small talk with your friends who already know all about your life and don't really want to hear about how you went to the doctor's office earlier that day and had to wait 20 minutes and then they made you pee in a cup, or whatever other mundane stuff we talk to people about when they already know all the good stuff. That's all folks, go there and enjoy their cool little decor, the board games, and the delicious food ...and I guess the alcohol, if you're a real adult unlike me.

Jenna S.

I stopped by at Simone's last night for a drink and ended up getting food. I really like this bar! I ate at the bar and was offered a sample of a tasty IPA which I ended up ordering. The bartenders were friendly, attentive and patient with all of my questions about food. I ordered the smoked salmon salad and fried pickles. I recommend the salad but fried pickles were just OK. They were pickle quarters deep fried vs. my preferred method of sliced pickles. That beings said, they paired well with my delicious IPA, so I wasn't complaining. This place is affordable too! I will be back.

Keith A.

Simone's is what's up. I've been starting to venture down to Pilsen and Simone's has been a perfect drop in spot for me. First off, I love the vibe. There's a 50s/60s nostalgia going on inside and it just makes Simone's unique and a very comfortable place to sit down and have a beer. Now, the second part is why you really come here: Simone's is a killer craft beer bar. The added bonus of it being in Pilsen means that it doesn't get too cramped up. There's a lot of room to begin with, but this is an area that doesn't lead to massive crowds. All of that is perfectly fine by me as I come here to relax. Simone's is just a flat out cool place. As Pilsen grows, people will be more onto Simone's, until then, I'm just gonna enjoy every bit of it.

Jessica M.

Simone's Bar has a unique atmosphere. It has at least two entrances and neither has a host standing guard. Patrons are welcomed to enter and seat themselves as they please. There are booths, tables, cages, and outdoor seating. Grab whatever is available! There are pinball facades and metallic light fixtures. You have just been warped back to the 1960s! It was a Monday night and Simone's was extremely understaffed. We had to wave our hands frantically for attention and our orders were finally taken after a 20-minute wait. A dinner for four was composed of Buffalo wings, black and blue salad, chopped salad, and Pilsen burger. My burger was perfectly grilled at medium rare and topped with lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, guacamole, and Chihuahua cheese. The stack was happily held together by two sturdy buns. You can forget the knife and fork as I did. The dish also came with a side of mixed hand-cut French and sweet potato fries. Definitely can't go wrong with this combo. Dinner came to a total of $36. Quite inexpensive for four. The Monday special is a can of PBR with an individual pizza of choice for $6. Sounds like a good deal to snatch. I will return and I hope the service will have excelled by then. Parking was not a huge pain. We were fortunate enough to land free parking after circling around the block once.

Cloey S.

I love this place with their up-cycled booths and tables. The waiters and waitresses are all very friendly and mindful of refills. They have a great menu with a lot of variety.

Diana Z.

Simone's is the kind of cool hipster place that would make you think everyone who works/dines there is annoying, rude, or above it all. BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL! Since moving to Pilsen, I've eaten here a lot (okay, maybe more than is necessary, but it's fine!) and every time I have had a fantastic experience. The staff is friendly and attentive. There is a delicious selection of beers. The food is tasty and has lots of vegetarian options. There is ample bike parking outside. The outside patio is gorgeous. There is ALWAYS a seat available somewhere (the place is huge). The outside is painted beautifully. The only thing that any of my dining companions has ever complained about is that the cola is a little weird and syrupy. But y'know, some people like it, so I'm not even going to use that against ya.

Samuel E.

Try the rosemary potato and syrup? (I'm drawing a blank on the third thing) pizza. Out of this world. Clientele is great and friendly (as it is in a pretty cool neighborhood as Chicago hoods go.) Great place where you can strike up conversations with local cops and local miscreants in a happy convivial environment where everyone is enjoying the libations. Good beer selection and decent specials.

Marco T.

Great spot in Pilsen and they have a great selection of beer. The service can be better. It's usually difficult to flag someone for another drinks. I'll be a bit before you get to the second round.

Katie P.

I'm here all the time, its a little embarrassing. My favorite hang out and meet up with friends spot in my new hood. Its a great space to meet with groups, and everything on the menu is under 10 bucks, plus they have good weekday specials. The service here is really friendly, even when they are slammed they try to be nice to everyone. I've never had an incorrect order at my table even when I've been with groups of 8+ people. The beer selection is pretty solid, and 9 buck cocktails cant be beat. The food, however, is just ok. Its the only thing holding it back from 5 stars! Stick to the nachos which are great. The burger is ok, certainly worth the weekday deal, and the wings are worth it on Wednesday when they are $5 for 12 but otherwise not that great. But you should go anyway to hang out with friends, enjoy the super sick atmosphere (really bizarre movies playing all on the TVs, strange cage for the DJ booth, awesome lighting and other decor), the cool servers and the great prices. You might see me there...

Daphne L.

First time at Simone's was an enjoyable time. We stopped in after an early dinner at Dusek's, and wound up staying for a few hours. They have a great beer list, and, from what I could see, a good food menu. The staff is really friendly, crowd is a mix of long time Pilsen residents and of course the requisite hipster. I'll definitely make return visits.

マヌエル

Just today nice bar. My bartender says he is too lay to get a pitcher of water to fill my glass then cards my for a beer but doesn't card the white couple that come in...in Pilsen you discriminate against Spanish?!

Desiree Anne A.

Came here for an early dinner with a group of four and sat at the patio area. The weather was great and inside seem a little dark, so the outdoor seating was perfect. I had the blackened ahi burger. It was pretty good, not the best... but worth the $9 with mix fries (regular potato & sweet potato). Pretty chill spot for good food and draft beer, which btw was $4 draft beer picks. Everyone at our table got the revolution rosa (hibiscus flavored) really light and refreshing says so our table. The only down side I could think of was the service and waiters were a little slow and less attentive at our table. The food came out quick though, just never really check up or refilled our waters after that. I can see this place getting really busy during peak hours. Glad we came before the rush! I would definitely be back because the price for food & ambiance was well worth it!

Jen N.

Loved it. Great food, good variety, better than regular bar fare. Diverse crowd with all types, but mostly young. Good place to go with a group of friends. The music was varied, some hip hop which was good, some music that sounded like world music? Moderately priced. Nice decor, I liked it overall.

Sarah K.

I'm over the snooty door man thing going on at this bar. Remember this is Pilsen, not Gold Coast peeps.

Ellen E.

Great beer list and I love that it is in Pilsen, but the vibe is very hipster and pretty pretentious for the southside.

gil a.

This place is too cool to have such bad service. If you want prompt service go somewhere else. Even a seat at the bar only gets you slightly better service. The stocky bartender with the porkchop ridiculous sideburns must have an ownership in the place because he just doesn't care which is ironic. Cool place but service is bad.

Terrence S.

If you are looking for a nice place to get a drink and a bite to eat Simones is your spot. The sweet potateo frfies are the best!!! The drinks are cool and if you are a micro brewery guy then this is the place for you.

Tom B.

I went on a Monday night recently and was pretty happy with the place. I got a drink off the menu to start and had pretty much no idea what it was (something with an orange liqueur?) but I loved it. The decor is cool, it's sort of like what a Tomorrow-land arcade would look like in the 60s. The crowd was more diverse than I expected, maybe like a 60:40 ratio of hipsters to non-hipsters. Downside: our server was really slow and inattentive...she even awkwardly skipped over people in our group when taking orders, exacerbating the slowness. Overall, I'd definitely go back, despite it being really far from where I currently live...it's worth a trip. Addition after reading some of the other reviews: Jeeeeesus. People need to get over themselves. I didn't notice the Pilsen-themed food on the menu...that is gross/obnoxious, but other than that, just let your guard down and have a good time with friends, sheesh. If you want something free of corporate ties, then I suggest you not hang out in Pilsen, which is widely regarded as the hub of current corporate gentrification in Chicago. I hate gentrification as much as the next socially aware guy, but I'd like to remind all you non-Mexican immigrants that YOU are the ones who are gentrifying Pilsen! Don't move into a place and then complain that a bunch of people exactly like you are invading your turf. You complain about mythical buses (it's called the #8) that are delivering north siders into your 'hood, but you're ignoring the fact that you are being far more judgmental than any of them. They are out exploring their city and having fun at the detriment of almost literally no one, while you are huddled in the corner complaining. Yeah, I'd really take your recommendations seriously.

Saverio T.

I liked it! Nice to have a cool bar close to my SW side home. I think, (for now) it's drawing a more "authentically creative" hipster crowd than similar north side bars. (No meat-heads or baseball caps) The DJ spun great music at a volume we could talk over. Nice big tables and really, its a BIG place. They serve food late. Fri night the back bar was open, place was full, people tucked away into corner tables and still felt roomy. Really cool interior inspired by pinball machines. And lots of great beers on tap. I love the Gumball Head IPA!!!

Sophia T.

Atmosphere is intriguing, with furniture and decor being made of various recycled objects. There is a good variety of beer. The food is also good. Overall, excellent place to hang out, chill, and drink.

Alisha J.

The door staff is pretty hilarious/slightly intimidating. Talk to them. I personally liked the bar [and the fact that they have this crazy recycled dryer lamp thing...it is FUN to stare at]. The Day the Earth Stood Still [original] was playing on the tube, kryptonite/mariah careyness/etc beintg spun..Whats not to like. Although I was amused by the cocktail names, I was slightly grossed out by the amount of basil in my toy gun. If I'm ever in the 'hood I'll take care to stop by. [fyi- dont try to inhale anything only legal in certain states right next to the bar, have some class...unlike us]

Brandon C.

Great variety of delicious beers. Pretty good food. Wonderful atmosphere. Too many hipsters. Service was mediocre but it still gets a 5/5 in my book. It can't be perfect. Put it this way, its a bar that had great beer and a cool atmosphere. Everything else is nitpicking.

Laura C.

A touch of hipster in Pilsen creates the perfect environment to arrive by fixie, with your Chrome bag, and skinny jeans to enjoy a craft Malort cocktail. Even if you don't have a plaid shirt and thick, plastic rimmed glasses, you'll still enjoy the artsy atmosphere and the locally sourced ingredients that make up an elevated bar menu.

Erika A.

I love Simone's for many reasons. Probably not as much as when they first opened, but it still has a special place in my heart. It was probably the bar that started a hipster/trendy movement of semi nightlife in the bar scene for Pilsen. The graffiti style walls and the repurposed decor make this place different and appealing! I lived down the block so it was heaven!!The food is always amazing and the outside seating is perfect for the summertimes. I used to walk over at night for great atmosphere! Great music and an overall great night. Now the crowd has gotten a bit rougher and the music is less exciting. I miss the original Simone's but O well I still love this place. The beer selection , the location, and the food keeps this one of my regular spots. Now I go for brunch and early start drinking, Trivia night etc.

Elizabeth A.

This place is known for their karaoke nights on Sunday and it's a diverse group of people that come together to have a great time and get a table in the back. They also have their own specialty kind of cocktails they are amazing. The wing's are not dry and the pizza is crispy and delicious I really like the bbq chicken one. Great environment and nice mural inside of a female face with day of the dead face paint near the first bar.

Elizabeth E.

I adore Simone's. I spent my first year in Chicago in Pilsen, and Simone's was my go-to spot for dinner with friends. The menu is easy, the beer is plentiful, the decor is interesting, and everything is reasonably priced. I'm a fan of the quinoa pizza, the grilled cheese (which comes with tomato soup AND fries), and the nachos, which have been my dinner after more than one exhausting workout. The Monday night special (pizza + PBR for $6) can't be beat. $5 nachos during trivia are pretty great too. What I really love about Simone's, however, is that it feels like a neighborhood joint. Sure, it has a hipster vibe, but after spending the last year eating and drinking far too close to Wicker Park, it was refreshing to return to Simone's after moving back to the neighborhood and find a good mix of people at the bar: groups in Sox jerseys, the Warriors running group grabbing a bite after their workout, an incomprehensible barfly muttering to himself, couples at the bar, and a few individuals just grabbing a beer after work. There's room for everyone, and that's why I'm glad to be back in the neighborhood, and back at the bar at Simone's.

Sandy L M.

It was four of us and we only had drinks, Bomba de Pilsen shot was delicious. Great time talking to friends for hours and the waitress was cool about it! I will come next time to eat food!

Corine R.

Food and drinks are awesome. Great atmosphere! Only downside: can get crowded quickly, especially on Sundays for karaoke. Other than that, awesome staff, awesome place, good food, and great drinks.

Christina M.

Thank You Stephanie, Reed & David for more than exceptional service. I drive in all the way from O'Hare to come kick it at Simone's Bar. I absolutely Love it. What I love more than the food and the beer. Is the amazing customer service. They really do make sure you're enjoying your meal....offer beer suggestions and keep your table tidy! Thanks Again Simones! See you soon!!

JL J.

Simone's Bar in the Pilsen district of Chicago is an interesting and unique place built with reused and recycled items. The interior is beautiful and chat worthy and the management is committed to maintaining the restaurant in a green and sustainable fashion. Simone's Bar is a member of Chicago's Guaranteed Green Restaurant Coalition and is a cool place to stop for a drink and friendly repartee. The cool decor alone is a draw, but the veggie-friendly menu of sandwiches, pizzas, etc goes way beyond normal bar bites. Nearby the Chicago Arts District neighborhood, this jumping, multi-roomed watering hole and performance space is filled with odd-ball salvaged materials circa before the hipster crowd's time. The decks of old pinball machines add interest to booths, which are fashioned out of graffiti-scrawled chem lab tables. The main bar, its top a vintage bowling lane, gives way to a caged-in, elevated DJ booth and booths made from woven seat belts. In a space this wacky, the menu has to hold interest, and it doesn't disappoint. Classic pub grub (nachos, spinach-artichoke dip) is augmented by empanadas, a Reuben-style brat served on a baguette and a Monte Cristo with cranberry aioli. You can get a pizza and a PBR for $6 on Monday and specials every other day of the week. If you are thirsty, it will be a while at the front bar because the lack of bartender staffing while have you waiting and parched. Try looking to see if the back bar is less busy if you don't want to wait for a cocktail at the front bar. The Saturday night clientele was a bit odd but the music was great. However, that is not going to stop us for coming back for round 2 and maybe additional rounds. For anyone craving a downtown club experience, this just doesn't fill that void. Overall we think this bar will always be around because " hey, were else can you get dressed up and go out in Pilsen. Cheers, Jordan & Marks

Cindy S.

I used to LOVE simones but now it kinda is mediocre. Food used to be so good but the last 4 times I have been and ordered a burger medium-well, it has came out burnt. Also they have hired some new servers (3-2 new girls) the last few months and THEY ARE HORRIBLE!! They are just so inattentive and don't seem to care. It is also becoming way to club-ish. Super loud and dirty later on at night. Sunday Brunch is still real taste-y and offers a more chill environment. I do like their cocktails and their extensive beer list. I would recommend this more for a weeknight. Tuesday trivia is also lots of fun.

Marcus M.

Bar and grills are really popular now - a - days, if you're ever looking for a place with good drinks, food and customer service Simones is the place for you. Just turning twenty one this past summer family and friends have taken me to plenty bars, visiting this place was refreshing. After visiting Simones, I would like to share the history, food and drinks I had and the impressive service I witnessed. Simone's is a great bar and grill located in the Pilsen, Chicago neighborhood of Illinois. It is a great place to grab a drink and a meal with friends. Inside of Simone's is incredible. They have pinball machines used for decorations, also for their bar, which is really amazing, caught my eye right away. Their recycled wood tables and fire place was also cool to see. The music they played was perfect. Little mix of classic rock and some hip -hop made me feel at ease. I've known about this place for a while now just haven't had the time to stop in, but I am defiantly glad I did. Usually when I visit new place I go for something random in their menu, but I had the taste for a burger and a beer. I ordered a burger, Swiss cheese, bacon, well done. The burger came out perfectly nice and juicy with hot fries. To drink I had a two hearted ale one of my favorites, always happy to see it anywhere I go. They had many other drinks, including beers from Revolution, Laginitas, cider beer and plenty of special drinks and beers they offer on their menu. Before I left I ordered 12 mild wings, they were delicious. Not too hot but just good enough to end the night. Customer service is very important to everyone including myself. Simone's staff did a great job keeping up with my friends and I. Making sure we had some drinks whether it was alcohol or water. Quinn, our waiter, had our food brought to us right away, nice and hot. He continued to check up with us, get us drinks and making conversation, answer question we had about the place and other drinks available. Thanks to him and the others that were on the clock, I felt very welcome and can't wait to go back. Overall visiting Simones was a great experience. I appreciated the service they provided and the atmosphere it created. Their hospitality definitely has me waiting to go back. If you're reading this review, I hope I persuaded you to go and visit Simones yourself, enjoy!

Sarah S.

I love this place! It feels like you are inside a huge pinball machine. They have good beer, good food, good music and good service.

Mark G.

Simone's brings the proud Pilsen native out of me. Yeah, I moved away before kindergarten, but I'm still representin', because screw you all. Westsyyyyyiide. It was after work on a Thursday night, and I was in the mood to just go home, drink some Hennessey and listen to some Otis Redding. But a friend had been trying to get me to meet up here for a while because she says it's the truth. It didn't take long before realizing I made a good decision. It's quite snazzy, in that it reminds me of an 80's movie scene inside any given arcade. I want to bring up Karate Kid, because I feel like there was a scene in an arcade in that movie, but it's been so long I've seen it. Whatever, you get the gist. I enjoy that I was able to stroll in with my rag ass work clothes on, and not feel out of place. Dress up or dress down, no problem. The crowd seems to be pretty casual and laid back. I can't say anybody's face annoyed me all night. The bartender was super friendly and helpful as well. And as a pleasant surprise, they actually were playing a lot of old school R&B on satellite radio, like Al Green and Bill Withers. Further indication that coming here was the right move. They had some very good brews on tap, like 3 Floyds, Solemn Oath, oSKAr Blues. To appropriately accompany my beer, I ordered the Pilsen burger. It had jalapenos, chihuahua cheese, and guacamole on it. Now why would something called a Pilsen burger have said ingredients on it? Oh, that's right, because a lot of Mexicans inhabit Pilsen. How clever and racial! Figuring out that puzzle was just an added bonus to one of the better burgers I've had in a while. It might not be the closest, but worth the drive. Only a hopeless curmudgeon would think this Simone's is anything less than spectacular.

Kristin C.

I've been dying to try Simone's so I was pumped to try it for lunch. It's always good to go outside the normal hood for a lunch time adventure! It was quiet for lunch but the service was not lacking. I appreciate that - if you are going to open at 11 a.m., saddle up because some people will come and they will be hungry! Our server was really nice and laid back and for a drink I could not resist a BLOODY. Some others went for the PBR $7 special (Burger, fries, one PBR) but I was glad I stuck with my gut, and went for the bloody because it was quacktastic! SOOOOOO GOOOOD. I loved that they use horseradish (and a lot of it). They drink also came with a beer back - a-HEM that is how you do it! I would go back for this drink alone - I do like my bloodies a lot. The menu is interesting - everything from empenadas to tomato soup to pizza. Kind of overwhelming but everything looks so GOOD so it is not annoying. I give then props on their sweet potato fries - needed some salt but were not greasy at all! I had the BLT with avocado. . .it was pretty good but the bread was flabby. . . I will be back. Next time I will try the tomato soup. . . but not if I am getting another bloody mary. . . hmmm. . . conundrum. Maybe they could just add vodka and horseradish to my soup?

Jen T.

I live nearby, but I don't go here often. THE GOOD: As everyone's said, the place looks amazing with all of its repurposed furniture, light fixtures, etc. I really love that about it. It also has a great selection, and some amazing cocktails that I never would have thought of and have never seen anywhere else (the give inn, the toy gun... i'm lookin at you). I've had mixed experiences with the food, but it generally comes out to a little better than average, and their veg burger is decent. There's one bartender in particular who is a great, helpful, friendly server, but I can't remember his name - I think he works Tuesdays though. THE BAD: First of all, the main reason I don't come here often is that they seriously BLAST their music at night, and I'm saying this as someone with no eardrums left after 10 years of punk shows who usually couldn't care less about volume. You can be sitting next to someone and still not be able to hear them as they try to yell in your ear! It's pretty dumb. Also, I understand why things are so pricey here, but a lot of times it really is cost prohibitive. At least their $3 PBRs are tall boys, but seriously... So basically, it really is nice to know that this place is here if I need it, and to know that I can walk a few blocks for this type of thing instead of having to take the bus to the north side (or university village), but i can't make it my automatic go-to spot. Maybe someday if they turn the tunes down two notches and I start rolling in cash.

kevin b.

THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE COOLEST, NICEST DESIGNED BAR I HAVE EVER BEEN TO typically, 4 am bars are real nasty and lame and just seem like 4 am bars. immediately upon walking in i was blown away by the design of the entire bar. basically the whole bar is made out of old pinball machine parts. the dj booth is especially awesome. between pinball playfields hung on the wall (lights included) and random chunks of pinball machines all over, the idea was executed very nicely. outside of that, there are little accents all over such as old seat belts used as seats in the booths, and the buckles are used to hold up the light structure next to them. the bar in the back has old oscilloscopes and tons of chemistry glassware surrounding it. crowd seemed ok. nothing special. but then again left before 3 so probably just missed the 4 am crowd. there were many delicious beers on tap. go here. even if it's just for a nightcap after you get kicked out of another bar at 2. go here.

Carlin D.

I came across Simone's late last year when I met up with a friend and her bf for drinks. I must say that this place is like a diamond in the rough. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. The food - great...I've only had I think 2 items off the menu but coupled with sampling others, I've had 5 total...all were great. Along with the vast beers on taps or available by bottle (i.e. they serve my favorite beer - Goose Island Matilda). My only harp is that they don't have a live tv...they played old 60s and 70s tv shows/movies. I guess it would take away from the ambiance a little, but I wouldn't mind watching a Bulls game here. IMO

Anthony H.

Allagash on tap. Enough said.

Rafael H.

Simone's is a solid bar, with good music, good beers and good food. It gets really packed sometimes and that's to be expected of a good bar. The food is always good. I've had the blue cheese burgers and nachos recently. Their kitchen stays open later than most bars I know. Their chicken nachos are ridiculously good, especially if you've been doing some drinking there. During summer, they open up their sidewalk to accommodate for tables. It's a nice place to sit, drink and eat on a summer night. They have a solid selection of beers on tap plus bottles. The crowd is very diverse. I'm really appreciative of this because it reflects a rich community that is open-minded to different backgrounds. They have a bouncer in the front door who's probably one of the nicer bouncers I've seen. It doesn't seem like there would ever be any problems there because it's so laid-back. But then again, a bar is a bar. The music is solid. I've gone several times when they've done mashups of hip hop on top of sampled jazz tracks. This happens to be my favorite. I believe it's been either on Friday or Saturday nights. One Thursday, I came in with some friends and they were playing swing music. They opened up a little space and people were dancing to it. It's not my favorite kind of music but I can appreciate a business that keeps different types of music for different nights, and thus caters to a wide variety of tastes. I wish there were more establishments like Simone's in the south loop. I might go there tonight actually.

Amy T.

Simones, where the food is great, the beer is cold, and all the pinball tables are beautiful. It's not my favorite place to be (more than once I've seen lines out the doors on the weekends), but they set up a nice little sidewalk seating area in the summer, play nice tunes, have great snacks (and brunch!) and a really great atmosphere. I think they've really come into themselves since opening (I accused them of being try-hards when it was the new, cool place to be). It's not that it isn't still a try-hard kind of place, it just seems to make sense now.

Blanca R.

I have stopped at this establishment about 3 times. Once for beers, once for lunch and once for dinner. When I came for lunch the place was quite dead, but the other times were great. Simone's has a great atmosphere. There seems to be an artsy kind of clientele...everyone is quite friendly. The beer selection is great, and the food is good. During the week they have Trivia night, which I found surprisingly fun. But....we didn't win.

Aidan S.

This is a great place to unwind and have fun, but sometimes I want my husband and our 6 month old to join me. Wish they had a changing table, it's weird to change a dirty diaper next to a dining costumer.

Ted P.

Simone's was a very comfortable place to start our Friday evening. The food was really good, innovative but not in the trendy, thinks too much of itself sort of way. It's not on the menu, but go for the nachos with pulled chicken in their buffalo sauce - it's got a good kick and really makes for a unique experience (thanks to our friends who suggested this!) The staff were very attentive, friendly and cool. I've been there before and had the same experience - we'll definitely be back.

Ry O.

Simone's, you're a welcomed addition to this side of town. Your food may best be described as above-average-bar-food and your beer selection is impressive. I typically come for brunch because it's still relatively un-packed on the weekends, the semi-rotating brunch menu usually has something that greatly peaks my interest, and if you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know I'm far more into brunch drinking than late night drinking. Your weekend late-night hours are packed. Maybe rightfully so given your vast selection of large tables, good dj, and aforementioned beer selection. Though, Simone's ... don't get too pretentious on us ... ok? I noticed that you're filling up the parking spots in a four-block radius, but raising the price of a PBR 12oz can from $2.50 to $3.00?? Really, Simone's?? To keep you in check: Your decor seems like it's trying awfully hard, and I want to like it, honestly, but it's coming off as a little needy and clingy. And your patio isn't the size i'm used to. I'm sorry, it's just not.

Minny M.

If you haven't been to Simone's and you live in Pilsen, you must be my gangsta neighbor and u suck.

Kimber R.

My only complaint is that this place is not closer to my home. If it was this would most certainly become my new hangout. Great food,excellent alcohol selection and quirky ambiance make this place a real pleasure. Also, very pleased with their vegetarian options. They have very tasty dishes like the Grilled Portobello Sandwhich on multigrain with pestro, grilled cheese cheddar and chihuahua cheeses plus a cup of tomato soup and vegan burger house-made with quinoa and black bean. Their beer selection is also a ray of sunshine offering more unconventional items such as metropolitan dynamo copper lager, atwater voodoo vator and two brothers cane and ebel. The creativity taken to create the interior is simply fun. The staff is always very pleasant and even agreed to let my band do a photoshoot in their lab section with no issues whatsoever. If your looking for something different than the usual in regards to food and ambience Simones is definitely worth checking out.

Nathan W.

I'm ashamed to say that I missed out on this place when I lived in Pilsen. Had I known about it, I probably would never have moved. The decor is GORGEOUS and made almost entirely of recycled materials and they even have heads up monitors showing the building's energy usage and other stuff that make nerds like myself bust a nut. Another nice thing about this place is that it's kind of tucked away from the looks on the outside, however it's like entering the Tardis once you make your way in. I need to stalk whoever designed the interior of this place. I ordered the Simone's burger which is basically bleu cheese topped meat extravaganza. The meat itself was cooked to perfection, though I wish they would use some more high-quality trimmings. The lettuce on the side was hardly green and not very appetizing. They skimped on the bleu cheese a little too, though it didn't take away from the taste. On the side was an assortment of sweet potato/good 'ol fashioned fries. Normally I don't like sweet potato fries, but these were a near perfect balance of sweet and salty. Good job Simone's!

Sarah L.

I dig this place for many reasons: 1) The people. It's a genuine neighborhood bar disguised as something much trendier. Of course, you're going to find hipsters here, but where can you go in any semi-gentrified 'hood without swinging a dead cat and hitting a few? 2) The beer. Oh, the beer! I am quite the snob in this department and I was satisfied with their on-tap selection alone. One to try is the Atwater Voodoo Vator, which they happened to have on two-for-one special the night I stopped in. 3) The music. In a two-hour-ish sitting, I heard A Tribe Called Quest, Justice, some Bob Dylan, plenty of tastefully appointed '80s songs...I could probably remember more if I hadn't been drinking the deliciously strong beer at the time. 4) The decor. Definitely head for the booths in the back - they have canopies (?!) and the seats are made from recycled seatbelts. It sounds weird, I know, but give it a try. You'll like it.

Super L.

I've heard a lot about this place, so when it appeared before our very eyes the other night, we felt compelled to stop in and have a drink or two. It was definitely a cute spot, and we were drawn into the movie playing (cheesy horror flick), and the drinks were good. Wish we lived within walking distance! Was torn between taking one to two stars off because of the customer service handicap of the bartender. I don't know if he thinks one of us killed him in another life or what, because from the moment we sat down he was nearly impossible to get service from. It's like he hated the look of us, and was allergic to our order. Which, when was able to wave him down ten minutes later, I ordered ONE appetizer, and he got that ONE appetizer wrong. Probably on purpose. Hesitant to go out of my way to go back cause of that guy, whose name starts with a C and rhymes with diss. Dude, why was you dissin us? You seemed so nice to everyone else!

Carol J.

Simone's is a nice addition to the Pilsen area. I know there are haters out there that hate the fact that some savvy operators came in and invested a lot of blood, sweat, tears and money in bringing a nice place to the, dare I say, gentrifying, neighborhood. GASP! Well they came and they hit it out of the park! Clean modern space with unique embellishments like crazy pinball machine fixtures, wooden benches and ornamental metal work. It wasn't until my third visit that I discovered the huge and awesome back room, I generally nestled my self into one of the booths and called it a night. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this back room, it was like a whole new place. Unique and rather interesting cocktail list (did not go over well on the first visit, was better and better with each visit thereafter!), awesome beer selection, well thought out and approachable wine list and did I mention the Pear and St. Germain concoction the master mixologist so kindly makes for me? DIVINE! Perfect Manhattans? You better believe it. I've dabbled on the menu with a variety of treats, the Sweet Potato Fries always a sure bet. Sandwiches, salads, etc round out the menu of pretty sophisticated bar food. When your chilling on the patio, the food doesn't really matter, but in Simone's case, it is def a big plus! Staff is always super cool and music ranges from old school funk to cutting edge ambient dancetronica. (I just made that up but it is oh so appropriate). Love Simone's!

Jason W.

I totally agree with the last reviewer (see below) when he says "What's up with the beer prices?????" I was psyched when this place opened b/c it's close to where I live by UIC and I can't stand Morgan's and Juniors on Maxwell. I thought I had found my bar with Simone's. I was in there the other night and the service at the bar was so slow - took at least 5 to 7 minutes to get our first round. And the menu lists the beer prices as $5.50 and $6 for a each beer, but then you learn that this is for the small glasses and the pints are actually $8.00(!!) If they can make that work in this economy, then god bless 'em, but I won't be back for a while... Also, no Hawks game on T.V., but instead some retro movie?? Otherwise, the place is great - cool decor, great food.

Claudia D.

The husband & I went for lunch today (Friday). We couldn't find it at first. There is no big sign. It is on the northwest corner of 18th at Morgan. The exterior is black with lots of windows. The interior front room is cool. The bar and the tables and booths appear to be made of recycled bowling alleys and ping ball machines. The back room has a gorgeous bar as well with tables made from recycled school lab tables. There were 3 menus for lunch. The food menu showed pizza, sandwiches, appetizers, salads, and 3 choices of dessert. The specials menu showed a salmon sandwich on a pretzel roll, the cocktail of the week, and a choice of wine. The drinks menu showed a list of beers on draft (periodically changed), in cans, and in bottles, as well a list of wine, and a list of special cocktails. We seated ourselves in a booth in the front room as directed by the quiet, friendly barkeep who brought our menus. Our waitress was Erica. She was very knowledgeable about the beers. The husband ordered the wheat ale tap---from Indiana---a Hefeweizen, $4.50. I had a Aatwater Voodoo Doppelbock which I enjoyed immensely, $5.50. These were very good. He ordered the salmon sandwich special, $9. I ordered the Mexican chicken sandwich $8 with a sub of a pretzel roll (pretzel roll was a $1 upcharge). Both of us had the veg of the day instead of the mixed fries (regular & sweet potato) which was sauteed spinach. We split our sandwiches. We both liked both sandwiches and the spinach. Erica was very attentive, unobtrusive, and efficient. Simone's was nearly empty at lunch. I like this place. I want to go back. However, street parking is limited. The surrounding area has some places that require a neighborhood sticker. Not cheap, but good. The atmosphere was fun. Of course, I don't know what it is like at night when it may be crowded and noisy, but I liked it. The screens at the front bar were showing the movie Dr Stranglove in black and white, the background music was well chosen, I do like this place!

Charlotte Y.

Arcade games meet cage fighting. That's how I described the decor to a friend the other night. He laughed and thought I was joking; I was dead serious! But, I'll admit it works for this place - I love places that are not run of the mill. Now, for a place I came across on accident (literally - a friend and I were driving in the Pilsen area looking to kill time before making our way to Chinatown for dinner and stumbled across a lit bar), it was such a great find! We came in for drinks only, but after seeing sweet potato fries on the menu with maple syrup and lemon dipping sauces, we just had to have an order. If the hand-mixed cocktails and fries are any indication of the rest of their menus, I'm so coming back! Oh, and the service was perfect - Sam was just so hospitable. A must for anyone looking for a bar with culinary and beverage depth.

Aline W.

I came here for the first time on a Friday night around 6ish, and it was already pretty packed. This joint is hidden in the Pilsen neighborhood, and parking was easy to find. From the recycled decor to the drinks, this place is worth coming back to. I got the grilled chicken sandwich, which was slightly dry and under seasoned (the only thing that I didn't fully enjoy). The mixed potato and sweet potato fries were yummy though! My friends got the Pilsen burger and said it was delicious. Also, I got the Brazilian Hanger, a twist on the Brazilian Caipirinha, and it had a nice kick to it. I got a sip of my friend's yummy chai tea-flavored drink. I tihnk i'll get that next time =) Overall, there was a lively atmosphere and a very diverse crowd. I would come back, but I'd try something else other than the chicken sandwich.

Kristin S.

First impression was that I wished this place was closer to my home. Great, relaxed ambiance with a good beer selection and killer, interesting mixed drinks. There are booths made out of old pinball machines, a kind of modern feel and a fireplace thrown in the mix for good measure. My friend and I enjoyed out drinks and were approached by a friendly bar manager who let us know there was a biology lecture on evolution and reproduction going on in the back. I guess this is part of a series they do there? We went for it and were glad we did. It was interesting and informative with free shots included! The clientele does seem to be pretty young, but I didn't feel out of place not being in college. I will definitely make a point to come back!

Peter J.

As good as it gets for your neighborhood hipster bar! This was one of my favorite bar/restaurants while living in Chicago. The food is great, people are friendly, and the door guys are always joking around with each other and customers. They have a great selection of craft beers. I've tried a lot of the menu, I'm no vegan but the vegan burger is one of the best around. The honey mustard chicken sandwich served on a pretzel roll with sweet potato fries is delicious as well as the nachos. This is a very hip atmosphere and the decorating obviously took some time. I believe it was created by a local set designer and everything is recycled. I love that they always have classic movies like Road House playing on the TV's. Go here and enjoy it, I'm missing this place! On Fridays they have a DJ and it gets packed. This is a very popular place during art walk.

Jennifer L.

A nice hipster bar on the south loop. The decor made me think of urbanoutfitters, retro wallpaper patterns, pinball machines on the walls cool floating partitions. I liked how the crowd was mixed, hipsters, southsiders, students, etc. The music was a little too loud for comfortable conversation. My dinner/drinking companions had to yell and still understanding was hit or miss. Oh well. There was a live DJ, but I didn't see a dance floor? Drinks were reasonable. Had some nice dark beers but they were out of the one we wanted. The mushroom fries were tasty though the wasabi sauce it came with was a little too creamy. My friend ordered an interesting potato pizza, like cut up baked potato on a crust covered with cheese. We arrived at 11pm and were seated immediately. At 1 am there was a line to get in.

Megan O.

Favorite restaurant in Chicago, hands down. My boyfriend and I come at least twice a month. We often forego trying a new place because Simone's never fails us! I am gluten free and vegetarian, and their black bean burger fits my high maintenance dietary restrictions, and is just about the most delicious thing I could ever eat! Additionally, they have a rotation of dry ciders by Vandermill on tap that make this all I could ever ask for!

Payal G.

OMG, LOVE THIS PLACE! Everyone should stop by this place and eat, drink, and just chillax there. One of the best neighborhood bars. The food is great, the music takes you back, and the people are friendly as hell. Try the Simone's Burger; it is gooooood... Oh, and the Simone's Pizza... And their brunch is great too. Love their breakfast burrito wrap. Oh and the sweet potato fires... Okay so you get the picture. Everything at this place is good. So now, why 4 starts and not five stars. Easy and picky on my part. You have to make sure you repeat your order the the waitress three or four times. I don't know what it is but they seem to mess up the order a few times. It's not always a bad thing as I've gotten to try new items but at the same time when you're craving a BBQ Chicken sandwich (which btw is damn good) but get a Honey Mustard sandwich its a little disappointing. Ya know? Anyways, fun place! Friday and Saturday nights are amazing... Oh and I love the door man... He is a true sweet heart!

Kristen F.

A Hipster Applebee's. Seriously. Just replace the pinball machines with football jerseys and pictures of Frank Sinatra and there you go! The waitstaff was super nice, at least our waitress was. The food was so so. My salad was super bland and my friend's "chicken fingers" were too. The Nachos were super American but the best thing we had there. The beer selection is one of the reasons it gets three stars. It also gets three stars because they are trying? I know a bartender who works here and that also might be why it gets three stars. But really, why would a restaurant right on the edge of some of the best Mexican food in the city TRY AND SERVE MEXICAN FOOD? I find that insulting for some reason. I appreciate the Skylark (which is only a few blocks away) because they don't try and mess with things they can't compete with. Burgers. Fries. Salads. Stick to that, Simone's. I think Simone's missed the mark when they moved into the neighborhood. Instead of trying to embrace the neighborhood around it, they cut out a restaurant and pasted it into a corner on 18th street.

Bil G.

This place is swell. Truly, a great bar with an excellent bar, an excellent kitchen, and an excellent atmosphere. (Their Friday night DJ knows how to get a toe tappin' without relying on house/club electronica bullshit or remixes of other songs; his eclectic collection spans about 50 years and he knows how to use it.) They've got some hard-to-find beers on tap and in bottles for the snobs, and for the impoverished hipster or real-life beer drinker, they offer PBR in a can. Their menu doesn't stray too far from your traditional bar/grille menu, but it's cooked so magnificently that you don't need weirdness. Also, the default setting is a mix of regular and sweet potato fries - a delightful surprise if you don't read the menu's fine print! But on top of tastes and sounds, their Day-of-the-Dead pinball decor, Alice-In-Wonderland furniture, and cinematic TV flare makes it as fun for the eyes as it is for the rest of the body. Customer service is low-key enough that you can actually enjoy yourself without being bothered. While it wouldn't impress your average suburban soccer-mom princess, they take care of you swiftly and accurately, and that's what I like in a restaurant. Its proximity to Dream Theatre helps give it that fifth star -perfect place to go before or after a show. I recommend the joint to everyone.

Perla T.

This is a wannabe Skylark - but it's just not happening. Here's why: 1. The bartender took my drink order as I was waiting for my friend and then forgot about it because she was talking with other bartenders. Then she looks at me and laughs at the fact she forgot my order. 2. Same bartender (female) thought it was more important to flirt with the hipster doofus at the end of the bar than to serve drinks to others. 3. Three cops walked in and sat down to have dinner. They walked in like they ruled the place with attitude. Not a fan of CPD. 4. The food took FORever to arrive even though it wasn't that crowded. 5. The seats and barstools are SO uncomfortable. They're all wooden and it reminded me of the desk I sat while in grade school. Just so that it's not all complaints. I will say some positive things about it. The beer selection is decent. The food is good. A nice variety. It's a step above your basic bar fare. Everything inside is recycled. So all in all, I am not saying "don't come here." It's an okay place to try out that's new in the neighborhood. It's also better than all the other places along Halsted Street in University Village. Pilsen definitely needs more places like this. Still, I will always heart the Skylark.

yamani h.

OMG i had SUCH good food and drink here...i totally fell in love. i hear there is good music at Simones too...so it COULD be a trifecta. i could totally become a regular here given the proximity to my crib (but probably won't on account of the fact that i know a COUPLE of cuties that actually ARE regulars here and they will totally think i'm a stalker if i start showing up on the regular...but i digress). as far as details go, i had: a watermelon mojito thingy...YUM YUM YUM. empanadas (spinach artichoke-w/spicy salsa and black bean banana w/cranberry aioli) tomato basil soup. for dessert i had...wait for it...wait for it...BEER infused ice-cream!?! OMFG. it was the BOOOOOOOMB. it doesn't even sound like something i'd like but it was DELISH. sheeeit.i will go back just for that. you should TOO! =D p.s. after you're done walk less than a block west and check out 'studio one tattoo'.

Nora W.

I went hear tonight with a friend and was pretty relieved by the friendly door guy & really excited about the art and decor- not to mention the fresh food (there is a garden on the roof). I was STARVING so i ordered quite a bit of food- The humus was very salty, the empanadas were pretty good, however the cranberry dipping sauce tasted like medicine and the avocado sour cream was just terrible. My friend had the portabella burger, which she said was also very salty. I ordered the vegan burger. It didn't have any flavor. it just tasted like black beans. I think the biggest let down was our beer, however. We got flights- 3 beers for $4... awesome- only they weren't cold. they were almost room temperature. i didn't finish any of them. On the upside, our waitress was very nice and checked back with us often. So... good service, great atmosphere, lousy food and warm beer :(

Janet T.

This place is a good example of gentrification of this neighborhood in a bad way. It is so weird to see all the white people stick together and hang around (in Pilsen!!)......all of them look so afraid of mixing....ha ha. What the heck are those bartenders and wait staff about? I ordered cranberry juice at bar, and the bartender had "I cant' believe your order" look and asked me "Are you sure that's really you want????" and sighed. I was holding cash in my hand, so what's the problem with my order? They do have cranberry juice any way. I didn't like his attitude at all. And another three different wait staff dropped my change on the table in a very rude way even though I held my hand out to receive it. That's my money. Why do they treat change like that?? Is it part of Simone's ambiance? If they were trained to do so, that's the management problem. And DJ was being told what to play, what not to play by the manager. It's not supposed to be done, if both are professionals. He should respect DJ. I didn't have any problem with house music the DJ was playing, but he was forced to quit. Very weird place. I won't go back. This place won't be loved by neighbors. Disappointing. Maybe good place for white immature kids who want to experience Pilsen for curiosity. Good luck! though they are not wanted.

Sheila H.

Went to Simone's last night for the first time. Overall experience was very good. Cool atmosphere, great beer, great nacho appetizers. Everyone I was with loved their food, but my chopped chicken salad was just OK. Otherwise I would have given SImone's 4 stars. One wonderful thing is that Simone's is created almost completely out of recycled materials. One of the people with us studies industrial design and he was pointing out that the chair backs were recycled seat belts and the bar was a recycled bowling lane (great, but uhg!). I do recommend Simone's

Laura O.

The food was great, i had the empanadas. The bar was really noisey and the service was really slow. Their specialty cocktails are really hit and miss aswell. If you're looking for a nice place to chill on the patio this might be a better bar for you, but it was not what i was looking for at the time.

Heather P.

Great food and really cool decor. Nice elcletic beer selection (they don't have any of the usuals- Miller, Bud etc). Nice to have more options in the South Loop. The bonus is Tuesday night trivia where the winner gets money off their bill!! Pros- Great sweet potato fries & burgers Cons- Strange tortilla chicken fingers...stay away from these!

Megan L.

Let me start out by saying the veggie nachos are incredible. Black beans, melted chihuahua cheese, jalapenos, & it's all baked so that the chips are extra crispy. The black bean/banana and spinach/artichoke empanadas were great. The special dipping sauce that comes with them are what sells them. My boyfriend has been craving buffalo-anything for days, so he got the 6-piece buffalo wings after having a buffalo sandwich the first time we came in & he enjoyed every last one of them. He also had SImone's stuffed-encrusted-pepper (with sausage) and said, "It was like someone transported me to Spain, there was a nice subtle spice in the sausage, the tomato sauce was creamy & still puffed up the rice, the pepper was even cooked to perfection, but if i was REALLY dropped off on the mainland of Spain the food would be a lot better, but it was close." (yes. he actually said that.) I love that this place is less than a half a mile/ a quick bike ride away from my house. I've been here twice and definitely enjoyed myself both times. The service can be a little better. The servers are friendly, but lack professionalism. Oh and I can't forget to mention that Simone's always have a good micro-selection on special for the day. Definitely check this place out if you are in the East Pilsen area, even if you're not in the area - stop by. You'll have fun.

Ayako M.

I've only had drinks here, but I must say, I.love.it . The atmosphere is great and relaxed, the music hip and the decor is awesome. great selection of drinks...unfortunatelyl, because this was the last stop on a long night of drinking I can't remember much else. But I remember wanting to come back!

Martha Z.

I'm about to fall asleep sitting up due to my very large food coma compliments of Simone's. I am very very full. And there is still half a burger with my name on it in the fridge. The ambiance and decorative originality is my hand's down favorite aspect of the bar. There are so many intricate details to notice about this place. We came here for a very early lunch so we got to gawk quite a bit at all of the recycled goodies plastered about. The service was friendly and laid back. Our waitress always approached our table at the right times. To start we shared a threesome of empanadas. Our favorite was the spinach artichoke which isn't very traditional, but who can deny hot cheese and artichoke in a very flaky phyllo like enclosure? The liquid portion of our lunch was bloody marys. Tasty but a bit too horseradishy. A free chaser comes along with the bloody Mary which a classy move in my book. We also got burgers and they were good but honestly I can grill up something way more fabulous. So next time I will try a different type of sandwich. To finish a coconut tres leches cake from Kristoffer's Bakery. My companion is a sucker for this cake. I think it would be his dream come true if I slathered myself in it or something. It was a mighty big slice that we got, and we polished it off. A few fresh berries would have made for a nice garnish I think. So now I think you can understand why I have this intense food coma. The food at Simone's seems good but a bit pricey. The atmosphere is definitely worth checking out. And if you'll excuse me now, I am going to go take a nap.

Ashley H.

Similar to many of the others who reviewed Simone's, I found this bar to be surprisingly unique and fun. It's a great spot to go with a group of friends for drinks and a quick bite. I was particularly excited to see they had both regular and sweet potato fries! Yum...so good. The venue was very large and the DJ was great! The downside was that it was really hard to find parking. We circled blocks for about 1/2 hour before finding a spot. Of course, there were vacant spots, but due to the Chi snow, residents had chairs saving thier spots. While we ended up parking only 2 blocks away, the sidewalks were not shoveled, and it was difficult to walk without slipping. I will definately go back in the summer, and I'll probably ride my bike or walk rather than drive.

Mesum N.

I wanna say I liked this place but not sure if I want to return here. It is a nice place for medium to large size groups to hang out but it looks like everyone at this places hate his/her job. I was there for about 2+ hours and didn't see a single staff smile or even bother even saying hi to people. Bartender who served me decided to keep my change ($8) as tip on his own. I still can't figure out why. Oh well. If you are in Pilsen area, go ahead, try their beers on tap. I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to check this place out.

David P.

I'm a regular, I live a block away so I end up here a lot. Their crowd varies by day and chance. Sometimes you get lots of local folk and sometimes lots of stinky hipsters and other days anything in between. The food isn't anything to brag about, except maybe the sweet potato fries and portabello fries. Pizza and empanadas are bland, burgers are ok. Drinks come in all affordability levels, from $2.50 - $16 beer. You won't find any of the commercial beers here but they offer great alternatives. If it were located any further I probably wouldn't stress to go here. The wait staff is nice, some bartenders can be snooty, door men can be snooty too. Holding occasional community events is the least they could do for the revenue they make from the community.

John G.

The chicken quesadilla tasted like it was rancid and i used to love this place. Looks like its time for kitchen nightmares.

Johnny M.

I've been to Simone's a handful of times but the best time I ever had there was when DJ Andy and DJ Adam tore it up in the DJ booth. The music was incredible. An added bonus, they had a bunch of different Lagunitas on draft for $4. The perfect reason to visit Pilsen.

Gomez B.

Simone's is aight. I always get the vegan burger and sweet potato fries. They're really yummy, but if I wasn't a vegetarian this place would be forgettable. I guess you go there more for the scene than anything else. There isn't really anything that keeps me coming back except that it's in my neighborhood and they have a vegan burger. Although the music is great, service is slow and the foods takes a long time - it's a VEGAN burger, seriously, what takes so long? Don't go there to watch games or anything. NBA Finals, I was sent to the back room with the one tv and no waitstaff, awesome. It's probably ruining Pilsen.

Christine M.

Once the bitter taste of a $17 cab ride down here left my palate, I was able to refresh it with the sweet taste of Allagash and wonderful decor. I started out with a cocktail. After ordering a Mojito, the bartender sweetly replied that I was not a Mojito lady and proceeded to make me something extremely tasty and strong that had a hint of ginger, mint, maybe some orange? Whatever it was, quite dangerous and delicious. I was surprised that i was able to stay in this bar pretty much all evening (usually bars are a starting point for me) pretty content standing around with good friends, and the funky mixes going on in the background. Met some really interesting people, who I am quite positive we would have never crossed paths otherwise had I not been there. I'd definitely like to make it back down to check out the food and snuggle myself into one of those booths, but more of a "destination" spot for me and only if I have the desire to make it down there again.

Sonata B.

I love the decor of this place!! From the bottle chandeliers, old pinball machines and the seat belt chairs. The fireplace is also a nice touch when its cold outside. I work in the neighborhood. I drove past here one night after work and decided to visit the next day for lunch. The nachos were great and the staff was nice also. I love the ambiance of the place and I continue to come back for those nachos :)

Dreem S.

bloody mary's are to die for great brunch spot

Angelica E.

Ok I must note....I'm a Logan Square/Whicker Park kinda kid. With that being said....wow this place was hella cool. Inside was like a laid back, urban, contemporary kinda feel and style....which I liked and was impressed! I didnt eat the food but they had a good beer selection. Another point.....they had like a jazz band playing! Wow they were really good! I dont know if thats the normal thing on Wednesdays but it was mos def a treat! The only reason why I give it a 4....its too far away from me....damnit man lol.

Emily D.

Analytic, Quantitative, Verbal, oh my. I went to Simone's with three beautiful women the day I took the GRE. I was, how you say? On a mission. Using the Kaplan method, it goes a little something like this: Emily : Simone's :: a) Moth : Flame b) Peanut Butter : Jelly c) Macaroni : Cheese d) White : Rice e) I effing love this place. (They throw a tricky one in there for kicks.) I must give a special shout out to Amanda C., who would never steer me wrong and her regaling the double bubble drink had me downing no less than three. Giddy up, indeed, Pilsen. Unlike so many others, you are in my 'hood. I love your galleries and I love your new girlfriend, Simone. She is quirky and lovable and she employs really nice servers who put up with drunks named Emily asking for more vodka. Just anything with vodka. Simone's was bompin' for a Tuesday night. Apparently everyone got the memo that I was ready to erase standard deviations from my brain to make room for girl chat. The menu was a treat. Loved the empanadas, loved the Pilsen pizza with frijoles negros. Yeah, baby. "Your son Rip is on line toot." Who is going to Harvard? Not this girl! Who doesn't give a shit now that she met the Sasparilla cocktail? This girl!

Dada A.

Simone's is the new Skylark? I think not. Let's compare the two: Skylark: Doorman is fast, attentive, and remembers who is there drinking, and who isn't. Simone's: Doorman has an attitude problem. Skylark: Wait staff and bartenders are fast even in crowded situations. Simone's: Bartenders are slow and unfriendly. Skylark: Prices are fantastic. Scallops for $9? A huge shrimp dish for $9? Simone's: $5 or $6 for 4 sweet potato fries. No joke. Skylark: Decent atmosphere, well laid out, with tons of space and easily adapted to fit large parties or small ones. Always room to stand, sit, mingle, or change your scene by moving to the other end of the space. Simone's: No walking space, no standing space, little seating space. Skylark: Friendly people all around. Simone's: High school cliques return. I want to like Simone's, but I won't go back. I had an altercation with their only door guy over his refusal to serve customers properly (note, I had one drink, so I wasn't even tipsy). We were there all of 1 hour, and my tab was already near $50. Leaving there made me sad because you can't judge a pub from one visit. That's the dilemma, though. When a staff member makes an obvious mistake and disrespects not one patron but two, he should say I'm sorry. It shouldn't require a manager coming out to diffuse the situation -- in fact, it took the manager nearly 10 minutes to understand what needed to be done. Your apology was lost on me. I can't name one bar in Chicago that I've been to in 12 months where I had to complain, but in my 17 years of barhopping, I've ALWAYS received an honest, heartfelt apology when things go wrong. I guess they'll do OK as long as there's $2 PBR on the menu. I wouldn't know, I don't touch the stuff, but that's how it ends up: the $2 PBR drinking hipsters are packing the place in, and the one couple who is ready to drink and spend money is treated like scum. Won't go back without a heartfelt apology and preferably an open mind about why I castigated the doorman.

Sarah R.

Went here recently my friend suggested it. I thought it was a cool bar. I loved how the seats were car seats and they had the seat belts hanging. I also liked how they had art on the walls. The drink I got not so great the brazilian speciality drink but it was strong not great flavor. The sweet potato fries were good a little over cooked though.

Jim C.

Went back. Guy at the door takes my ID and sticks it in a machine to scan it. WTF. I didn't say they can scan my personal info. I order from a waitress and immediately she wants my credit card. Other than knowing that I am of legal drinking age, which I clearly am, bars don't need my personal info when I am paying cash for a beer. Done with this place.

Amanda Z.

So...coming here, I heard that there were seats made of old recycled seat belts. This I had to see. And test out. My review is based on what was probably one of the shortest visits to Simone's ever. Let's just say...LOVED the double bubble drink. What a fantastic drink menu they have, I had a hard time selecting just one. But when I saw vodka, champagne and pop rocks on the rim, it was fate. Fantastic. Pricey, yes, $11 for a cocktail in this 'hood is quite the price tag. I hope that this place does well enough to survive these hefty prices. Good beer list, but again, very pricey. Service was friendly, and I thought the decor was great. I didn't get a chance to try any food, so I can't comment to that, other than a cursory glance of the menu. It looked standard, nothing out-of-the ordinary. In case you were wondering, recycled seat belts make for a super-comfy seats.

Jo-Elle M.

After a volunteer event, we went to Simone's to grab a snack and drink. What a cool place and nice surprise! The tables and chairs are made of old bowling lanes and the light fixtures utilize coke bottle bottoms. The food was decently priced (had a chef's salad with chicken breast - $9.50) and good. Friends had nachos (huge portions) and tres leche cake from Kristoffer's Bakery down the street. Friend also had a Bloody Mary which was decked out with various food items (stuffed olives, tortilla chip, cheese...). Service was attentive and fast. All in all, a great find and I'm looking forward to coming back!

Anna P.

Like most people who wrote a review for this place, I'm anguished: is it okay to have this fancy place in Pilsen? Or should I hate it and denounce the hipster clientele? Oh wait, probably half of yelpers are hipsters, and the Pilsen gringos who bemoan the existence of Simone's are the people for whom this bar was created. So without totally ignoring the uncomfortable cultural questions begged by Simone's, let's just debate the facts: Decor: Looks like the set of Blade Runner Drinks: Good selection of beer and wine (I enjoyed a nice Malbec) Food: Standard Bar Fare + a few gestures to fusion (tempera-fried veggies and wasabi mayo=good, burgers=take 'em or leave 'em) Clientele, Atmosphere: Hipsters and fancy fashion folk Servers: Some good looking people. A little overattentive, but that will fade with time. Sure, it ain't no Skylark, but that's not what Simone's wants to be anyway. I admit, I was shocked when I went in there, considering the humble surroundings of the building. Don't know that I'll be back (the 18 bus runs only during rush hours). But sho' am glad I experienced the gentrification bomb when it went off... and lived to tell the tale.

Nicholas J.

I live really really close to this place and looks like I was the only one who does. The clientele looked like they all drove from South Loop or Lincoln Park. The place is way too decorated. I have no idea what they are going for except to be kitsch and spend a shitload for it....if that's a theme. The staff was friendly enough I guess but kind of uninterested in general. The beer list is fine, super calculated, but fine. The food is okay. May go back on a weeknight if I'm in a rush and don't have cash for Skylark. Oh. and those seatbelt booths suck. They are super uncomfortable. I wanted to like Simones but it just didn't do it for me. Skylark or Efebos or Don Pedros are where folks should head.

Ina J.

My cousin's flight was running late and as a result I was late for a scheduled dinner with friends. Luckily, my friends are super understanding and as I sped back to the city from O'Hare we decided on Simone's. I thought the place was hipster hang out (yes, shame on me for making this assumption). Upon arrival that assumption was proven wrong. Sure, they were there but the crowd was very mixed. It was a Friday night and the front was crowded so we ended up getting a nice spot in the back. It does have a huge seating area, yes another assumption that fell by the wayside. The menu had items that were slightly above the typical bar fare. Case in point, I had the grilled portobello sandwich on multigrain bread with pesto and a side of fries (mixture of sweet potato and regular ). The sandwich was very flavorful, the fries left a little more to be desired but were decent. The price of the meal was less than $9. There was a DJ and the tracks were solid...classic hip hop (who would have thunk it?) Our server, Bianca, she was frank and funny. (kudos) Overall, Simone's was cool. Will I return? I shall.

Rob R.

I'm old enough to call out a crush for what it is- wooziness based on aesthetics taking hold long before knowledge of the depths within, a blind and premature emotional attachment. It's okay to have a crush on a physical establishment. I know better than to trust my heart on this one, like the most beautiful crushes that lead to the most forgettable disappointments- but the recycled motif shouldn't just be mistaken for art- it is art. On first glance, this place hit me like nothing else east of the Mississipi/Missouri confluence (that would be, the gorgeous botanical/mosaic of St. Louis' Venice Café). Booths adorned by pinball machines hit the same nerve that was struck when I saw my first Lite Brite at age two; hanging lamps of sawed off Pelegrino bottles; a Bally Silverball display above the bar right about where a television would stand in lesser bars. I never figured out how to sit in the tilde-shaped chairs, but there was plenty to keep me distracted from my physical discomfort- a fireplace, exposed ventilation ducts, a band of graffiti art surrounding the periphery, music gracefully segueing from Radiohead to modern bossa. It doesn't hurt that the staff I met seemed genuinely friendly, and I noticed one bartender going out of her way to chat with a few lone wolf customers. There's money to be spent here, too. Few dull choices amongst the creative mixed drinks (I was gently coaxed into a Dark & Stormy- ginger beer & rum), 30 bottled craft beers (Ska, Monschoff Black Pilsner, Victory...) and 10 draughts plus PBR. Burgers and pizzas run just under ten bucks. It's not the prices but the stiff ambience that turns me off from most cocktail lounges- but this place is alright on both counts.

Paul F.

50 reviews within a month of opening? Gentrifier's guilt= "overcalculated", "the shift has begun", "too nice/fancy for the neighborhood". Really? Gentrification in Pilsen has begun? The year 2000 has called and would like to leave a message to you about opportunities to buy property which you can turn into condos and flip. The decor is a bit over the top, but I'm no interior designer. It doesn't look like any other bar I've been in and is interesting. A bit much? Maybe, but I find that immeasurably preferable to any bar in which I am not allowed to sit and not watch TV. I would rate the DJs I've seen so far, but have a chip on my shoulder about the amount of times I've tried to get my foot in the door. I've seen old school rock and roll/garage DJs who dug deep, but weren't my thing, Bmore DJs who played nothing but amped up, hip, club music on a tuesday night when everyone was kinda chilling and some "90s hiphop" DJs who seemed like they were learning. I don't mean to sound snobby, but that was the looks of it. Bmore dude was good, but on some weekend style, right? Rock and roll guys seemed like they were killin it for their crowd, and I respected their crate digging skills. Hey, they have a bunch of good beers on tap and tallboy cans of PBR for $2.50 for my broke ass. I tried to order a malort when I was sick, but the bartender couldn't figure out how much it cost so I couldn't get it. Ironic liquor that I find hits a very specific spot, but can't have cause of irony? Lame. Featured menu drinks are all very sweet and a little to worked over, maybe a bit gross, but then again I was the one trying to order malort. The food? I think they'll work it out eventually. Vegans like it, but vegans tend to shout out any establishment that gives their diet any play (fair enough, right?). The Pilsen burger has no spice. Sweet potato fries are good, but people are making a hell of a lot out of some *really expensive* fries. I guess it seems cool to some folks that they serve Kristoffer's pan de tres leches, but you know what? I'm still mad at Kristoffer's for standing in the way of me getting a damn polish sausage for $3 on 18th street instead of pondering a $5 order of fries. I've already been to wonderful benefits here and have heard of all sorts of 'progressive' intentions for the space. We'll see. I think a lot of good things will come of Simone's and I'll probably be there again in the next 3 days. I live down the block and dig it. It's friendlier and much more diverse than skylark. While I have given petty criticisms of the music it is generally more interesting that whatever the ipods on deck at skylark are shuffling. If you would like to strike a blow against gentrification, or feel like you have, you can lobby against Mayor Daley's TIFs, be an active member of your community or not live in a gentrified or gentrifying neighborhood to feel absolved (I've tried this, it was pretty monastic but with drinking). Personally, I've found that the moral discomfort my basement living ass has is worth living centrally and in a neighborhood that is currently fun, colorful and exciting but will be totally different in 6 years. I'm pretty sure having a drink and a good time at Simone's will not tip the balance.

Janie P.

To be fair, I'll order anything that says "Breakfast Burrito", and I'll probably like it. Simone's is a welcome addition to the neighborhood - friendly and interesting staff, a great menu, and a sizable beer selection. The beautiful bar area doesn't have stupid amounts of televisions, and I love that. Did you know that since Pilsen doesn't yet have Blue Bins, you can drop off your recycling to Simone's? That would earn them a 6th star, if that was possible.

Anita V.

I like it. I went for lunch on a weekday and had a great experience. The decor is really nice-cozy trendy ambiance. I had a good veggie burger and the sweet potato fries are awesome-better than most places. I don't have to trek to Earwax or Chicago Diner, this is just as good. They have a great drink menu l and the bill for two people was under $25. I will for sure go back for lunch or dinner and try out some more stuff on the menu.

Laura P.

Dear Simone, Good morning, I spent the better part of last night in your establishment. First things first, a girl DJ with eclectic taste and great hair gives you 1 star. The next star you get for a bartender that makes a drink the way that I would make it at home. Stiff. Third star is for a surly bartender that told me that I was 'corny' for liking the song Yolanda. Fourth star is for B movie 1970's Mexican wrestling movies on the Tron televisions. Fifth star, and the best star, is for gigantic spotlights with coke bottle filters and shuffleboard counters and chairs. I had a good time, Simone, I will be back. And this time, I will try some food. Sincerely, Laura P.

Theresa C.

After hearing quite a bit of buzz about this place I went in today for dinner. The general atmosphere was nice, although they dimmed the lights at 6, which seemed early to me, since I hadn't had my dinner yet. The booth seats were recycled seat belts which I thought was cute. The menu's are file folders, also cute. The staff was very eager and friendly and super on top of everything. The drinks. The drink menu makes me want to come here and drop a quick 50. Everything sounds good. The beer selection is awesome, my friend ordered the hefeweizen, it was good, I had a PBR tallboy for $2.50. I'm very eager to return when I can actually indulge in a few drinks. The Food. After a long debate, I decided to have the Pilsen Burger, it comes with guacamole, jalapenos and chihuahua cheese. It was good, but didn't quite meet it's potential. the hummus was good but could have used carrots. There are a lot of other things on the menu I want to try and I mean to go back and try them; nothing on the menu is more than $11, so I can afford to. I was overall pleased with the joint.

Minners N.

Decent bar food and beer selection but i'm still puzzled over the kind of decor they're going after.... it's the a schoolish theme with the tables and chairs and "chart" menus. but then there's fencing along the back wall. and pinball-ish lights and fixtures. but also a nice fireplace. confused. Food itself is decent. Normal bar food- burgers and sandwiches. Majority of the table had burgers and everyone seemed to like them. Monte Cristo was a little dry and needed tons of jam- not too greasy though like at other places. fries that came with all the dishes were good, but too soggy and greasy for me, though i did like the sweet potato mixed in. Good beer selection with really different variety (i dont drink beer so dont really take my comments- i could be so wrong). Very different place in the pilsen area. definitely does add to the gentrification of the area. good thing? i dunno- jury is still out. probably wouldn't go back again. if i want bar food- i'll go to morgan's =)

Once the bitter taste of a $17 cab ride down here left my palate, I was able to refresh it with the sweet taste of Allagash and wonderful decor. I started out with a cocktail. After ordering a Mojito, the bartender sweetly replied that I was not a Mojito lady and proceeded to make me something extremely tasty and strong that had a hint of ginger, mint, maybe some orange? Whatever it was, quite dangerous and delicious. I was surprised that i was able to stay in this bar pretty much all evening (usually bars are a starting point for me) pretty content standing around with good friends, and the funky mixes going on in the background. Met some really interesting people, who I am quite positive we would have never crossed paths otherwise had I not been there. I'd definitely like to make it back down to check out the food and snuggle myself into one of those booths, but more of a "destination" spot for me and only if I have the desire to make it down there again.

James E.

You know a dessert is good when you love the fact that you taste it again with a burp. Seriously. I came here the other night with the hubs and a friend and we all split the pumpkin ice cream with caramel and I have to honestly say that it was one of the best things I've eaten in a long while. So good it is pretty darned close to bringing a tear to my eye. To make the experience even more unique, they paired the ice cream with a beer. We found out later that they actually use the local brew beer in the making of the ice cream. Oh man! IT WAS GREAT! I also had the turkey burger for food and I can't remember what my friends had, but they all seemed to really enjoy their food a lot. It was the kind of meal where we all kept talking about how wonderful the food is, several hours later. I also really appreciate the beer selection. It's enough to make a snotty European think twice about their judgments of American brewing abilities. This is our new favorite hang out and is a great place to bring north siders who have no idea that an entire city in and of itself exists south of Roosevelt. I LOVE this place and I only wished I lived w/in walking distance.

Will C.

Simone's isn't bad, but it isn't great. The specialty cocktails taste good but a bit pricey and have been quite weak on one or two occasions I was there. The food is solid enough, I've never been disappointed with what I ordered and I like the decor. Unfortunately, and maybe that shows that I'm kind of a drink snob, but their bartenders on several occasions have made messes of the drinks my friends and I have ordered. For example, none of the two of three different bartenders we have ordered from has been able to make a good old fashioned. Try as they might they just haven't been able to figure it out. But, they do employ a friend of mine on occasion to DJ and I like that. So, Simone's is a solid offering in Pilsen if you are in the neighborhood. Keep it simple and they won't disappoint. Also, as a latino friend of mine who is a native of Chicago said to me when he found out I had gone there, "There's goes the neighborhood."

Chris S.

It's worth going just to see the inside of Simone's. It's a nice dark bar and almost everything inside the bar has been recycled and/or re purposed. The lights above the bar - a couple dozen recycled Pelligrino bottles, the booths - made from remnants of an old bowling alley. Parts and pieces from pinball machines have become decoration, old suitcases turned into planters on the patio...and so on. The beer list is varied and includes some seldom seen labels - Golden Monkey, Ska Brewing, etc. The food is great, from the onion rings to the empanadas, to the weekend (somewhat limited) brunch options. The winner here though? The bloody Mary. Whatever mix they use or make is so good and garnishes include chili-dusted, cheese-stuffed olives, pickles, and a big, crunchy piece of Parmesan flat bread. The people that work here are overall nice, friendly, and depending on how busy it is, quick to strike up conversation. All said, a place I like to go back either for a few drinks, dinner, or a lazy late lunch on a Sunday.

Double L.

Stopped back here for some grub on Saturday. Grilled Cheese and soup hit the spot. So did the fried shitaki mushrooms with soy and mayo for dippin'. Lovely. I don't know why people keep trying to compare this place to Skylark, two totally different animals. RrL

Jessica M.

Ended up here with my brother and sister after seeing Dinosaur Jr. last night......my ears are still ringing!!! Ordered an order of fries that came with a chipotle ketchup and ranch sauce (I think). Either I was super hungry, or those fries were fckn delicious! They were good: thin, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I'm kind of a fry snob and I loved these! The decor is nice, felt inviting. The music was rockabilly when I got there, not sure if it changed as the night progressed. I would come back to check out the burgers or just to have a drink. Being born and raised in Pilsen, this place is nice because it's different then what we're used to.

Mike B.

Am I at a bar or inside an arcade game? Either way I'll be comin back.

Timothy H.

I first heard about Simone's via the Red Eye months before it opened last year. Red Eye hyped the s**t out of this place all throughout 2009. Unfortunately, Pilsen is not an neighborhood bar scene I frequent, so it took me some time to finally check this place out. First off, I will say that it was nothing like I expected. I thought it would be uber-dark, packed with people, and I envisioned checkered tablecloths and bottlecaps lining the booths. I don't know how I came up with this idea of Simone's but Simone's is not that. They do emphasize recycling with a neo-futurist theme, but it works. From the pinball facades that scale the walls to the micro chip displays above the bar to the cage, to the overall open atmosphere I enjoyed the layout. It's a large space, so finding a table at 8pm on a Friday was no problem. The lady and I grabbed a booth near the door and waited for some friends to trickle in at their leisure. We would ultimately be a party of 7, but like I said, our friends came steadily over the course of an hour or two. We noshed on some of their empanadas to start. The black bean and banana ones are super delicious, and I also enjoyed the chipotle chicken empanada as well. The spinach artichoke flavor is best left for the dip. Speaking of which, the spinach artichoke dip was underwhelming. Too many chips & pita and not enough dip. One final note on the empanadas, each comes with its own homemade dipping sauce. Yum! Since we had already eaten dinner, we didn't order any meals, but I did notice that the soups were made fresh daily. You don't see that very often, so props to Simone's. The first drink I ordered was a 3 Floyds draft beer. They offer a rotating selection, and last Friday that meant Pride and Joy. Meh. The florally, citrusy flavors are a bit much for me on top of all the hops, so it seemed very one-sided to me. The second beer I tried; however, Metropolitan's Generator Doppelbock, WAS DELICIOUS! It was heavy, as a bock should be, full bodied and rich with an 8.2% ABV, and had a sweet cherry finish. It's probably one of my new favorites. I finished off the night with Dogfish Head's Nut Brown Ale (or something along those lines ... I'm too lazy at the moment to look it up). It definitely had brown in the name, but the beer looks almost black. You can taste the nuts and caramel in it, and the way the flavors mix together, it tastes like the beer was brewed with coffee. Maybe it was? Anyway, another winner in my book. Although the beer prices are steep $6-8 for drafts, you are getting a high % ABV in each beer, so you are getting just as much alcohol as if you ordered two miller lites at half the price. If my memory serves me correctly, they also have $4 drafts on Sunday. By the time we were leaving the bar had filled in with more people, but it still wasn't too crowded, another plus. Overall, I think everyone had a very pleasant time. We were all yawning towards the end from a long week but no one really wanted to go. It was nice meeting you Simone's. I hope we see each other again real soon.

Michelle H.

I've been twice. Both time totally bowled over by the thoughtful, super cool design. Everything is intentional and the spaces are all uniquely created while true to the overall design theme. Very few places like this. Our waitress was super sweet but ultimately incompetent. Almost every order was wrong - drink and food alike. This resulted in an overall annoying experience. 3 mistakes (overcharges) on our bill. Food: burgers, etc... No complaints. The hot fudge sunday came perfectly prepared and was delicious.

Meg O.

If yellow is the new black, then Simone's is totally the new Skylark. My friend Anna and I came here last night to ignore V-Day; I suggested it mainly because Pilsen holds a special place in my heart (dare I go as far to declare that Pilsen is my Valentine?), and ages ago I received a free drink coupon at a Second Friday. Surprised that the place had only been open a couple of days, I had to check it out. Almost immediately, I knew that I was going to love Simone's. Here are a few items on the menu that made gush with enthusiasm: Three Floyd's Gumball Head, Young's Double Chocolate Stout, and Bear Republic Racer on tap, Hendrick's gin, Kristoffer's tres leches cake, 3 empanadas for $4, the pizza with roasted potatoes and rosemary, and Pop Rocks-rimmed champagne cocktails. I sat in a booth constructed from recycled seat belts while I waited for Anna and chatted with several servers about their opening and the Pilsen neighborhood. While the front booths are great for more intimate dinners with friends, when Anna arrived, she and I decided to move to the back bar. This section of Simone's is made out of parts of an old high school science lab, complete with the great black slate table tops (the bar itself), tons of bunsen burners, and a chalkboard! We sat right at the bar, and were served and entertained by Greg the entire night. As excited as I was about all the beers on tap, I decided to indulge in the cocktails. Throughout the night--which lasted until closing time at 3 a.m.!!!--I drank : Zimbabwe-very refreshing citrusy gin drink, definitely my warm weather cocktail of choice Sarsaparilla-all the joy of a rootbeer float without being cloyingly sweet Caucasian-Cinnamon, coffee, vodka...what could be better? Greg was also awesome about giving us samples. He let us try a Jamaican Bicycle (not on the menu, but tropical fantastical), and the Double Bubble--bring on the pop rocks!!! Halfway through the evening, Anna and I ordered some munchies. The appetizer options do tend towards the fried bar food side, but there are some tempting options. We settled on the 3 empanadas and the Portobello fries. The curry beef empanadas were delish, very moist and well-balanced in flavors, but the chicken one was on the dry side. Next time I do want to try the black bean banana one too. Three different dipping sauces accompany the empanadas, which was very exciting. Three cheers for the Portobello fries; not too greasy, not at all limp, very meaty mushrooms! Wasabi mayo and sesame ginger soy sauce saddle alongside these, which makes them extra tasty. While the majority of the staff are super cute hipster girls, the clientele was not overly so. Throughout the night, I was fascinated by the crowd, which ranged from middle aged artists, to vegan, Critical Mass-loving labor organizers, to UIC students of all persuasions. I can definitely see this place becoming more teeming with hipsters on Second Fridays, but honestly, the vibe is a little too Morseland Cafe for it to ever be defined by one group. You are definitely going to see this U of Chicago/Hyde Parker English teacher hanging out here regularly with her Old St. Pat's St. Patrick's Day Festival Choir friends...except when tater tots and a photo booth are calling my name from Halsted and Cermak ; )

Elizabeth T.

I actually think this place is more like a 3.5, but that not being an option--I dug it. I dig a bar like this on the south side. I wish there were MORE OF THEM. So it gets a 4 by default. We came here after 1) a friend recommended it when i was bemoaning lack of cool bars in the southside and 2) a stranger at a nearby table at another southside restaurant recommended it out of the blue. We weren't disappointed. The beer selection is really great. The waitstaff might be the friendliest I've ever had. We tried the 3 empenada combo and I recommend the banana bean. Who knew? We also got the Pilsen Burger and Mexican Chicken Sandwich. The food is where the starage looses ground. It's okay. Nothing to complain about, but I like my burgers JUICY. And whe I say medium rare, it best be at least pink. When I asked my other half about his chicken sandwich I got a shrug, but an emphatic, but this place is cool. In short? So-so food, good atmosphere, good decor, great service and awesome locale. We'll be back.

jenise r.

A pal told me about this place and she said I'd love it. I sure did! I love when my friends know me so well.... I came here with someone to check it out. I found parking right in front...sweet. Door guy was super nice, you walk in and a few people smiled our way. We kind of just kept walking to look around and ended up right by the hostess so she asked us where we'd like to be seated and we chose the back booths by the windows. I love how everything in here is recycled, some seats are even made from seatbelts! They have a nice food selection, I only ordered sweet potatoe fries which were really good. They came with 2 dipping sauces too, one tasted garlicky and one like lime. I got a few different brews, they were out of Gumballhead which was a huge bummer. But the one our waitress suggested instead satisfied me. I can't wait to go back.

lola d.

Initial reaction: Wowsers, what a beautiful place! Exposed brick walls, large canvas paintings, two bars (one located in the front and one in the back), beautiful bar tops and smooth cement floors! Food: we only tried a couple of things: the duck pizza (on special) and the sweet potato fries. Both lovely and fresh! Service: our server was sweet as pie and was always near by offering us beverages. Beer: great, great selection of beer. I went with the grab bag: a mystery pint for 3.50! Was not disappointed in the least at any of the choices given to me, but then again I love beer! I will be back!

Tanya A.

ok here we go.. 1st off its in pilsen so its a "NORTH SIDE BAR FEEL IN THE SOUTHSIDE" well i think the owners actually own a bar in the north side called north side bar.. but dont quote me! ive only heard.. 2nd.. i dont eat red meat but i get the pilsen burger and switch the meat to chicken.... ummm BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH I HAVE EVER HAD .. even my bf gets it with chicken and he loves red meat! staff is friendly, people are chill, music is good and tues night is trivia night with your friends.. if you win you get a gift card for the next time you come.. great beer and mixed drinks.. bartenders know what they are doing if there is something they dont have on the list.. just ask oh and btw, inside most of the things, are recycled from a old bowling alley..ie.. the bar stools, the tables.. so its also "green" ..look closely, it looks like a big pin ball machine inside..

Amanda S.

Simone's is great for burgers, good beer, and a fun night out. They also have some very interesting cocktails that I've heard are amazing. We've been here for brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks, and this bar gets increasingly louder (and more hipster) throughout the day. In terms of food, I LOVE that you can get the burgers cooked to order. Some people are scared at this, but they are so delicious med-rare! You can also get as many add'l toppings as you want (portabella mushroom, guac, etc) for just $1 more. My boyfriend loves the sweet potato fries. He had the stuffed pepper and said it was pretty decent too. We had a variety of the empanadas for appetizers and they were OK. We've also tried a bunch of the pizzas and I'd highly recommend the rosemary potato one- very unique. Overall, really fun and unique atmosphere, great drinks, and good food. Oh, and the service was very friendly and attentive!

Cindy K.

I went for lunch during the week, so I can't comment on the bar scene. I can say that the food here was mmm mmm good. The menu is standard bar fare. I ordered the burger with jalapenos because I love food with a kick. The burger was great-- huge, perfectly grilled, and just the right amount of spice. It came with fries that were a mix of regular potato and sweet potato. The variety was nice. Service was friendly and the atmosphere is fun. I'll definitely return on a weekend to check out the bar.

Stephanie R.

I always loved the design of this place and the music, though as of lately, my overall love and excitement has fizzled. I've been there too many times to count and two years ago it was super, lately not so pleased. The food has taken a few low points. In general the service has been less than desirable. The banana empanadas are probably the main item on the menu that I enjoy the most but they took away one of the dipping sauces that I loved so much!!!! I've tried a few different items on the menu (pizzas & grilled cheese sandwiches) and haven't been impressed. I will go there for the drinks, since they have a nice collection, and because the decor is still just amazingly creative. But I really hope they change the menu and get a happier staff.

Carolyn E.

Simone's is funky relaxed with an interesting beer selection and a full bar. I never really recommend going here, but I don't protest either.

Christian P.

I went there last Tuesday to meet up with friends who knew the DJ. I always heard about bars/lounges in Pilsen but never went to a really good one. As I get in, the feel was pretty nice. The establishment is clean and the setting was interesting. I liked how the tables were placed and my friends and I got lucky sitting at the table on the mezzanine right next to the DJ. The DJ played a good selection of old school Soul/RnB most people were sitting and chatting but a couple was dancing next to their table. The drink list was interesting as well, the drinks are original. I think it's a great place to hangout on a weeknight.

Connie M.

My boyfriend and I have had a mild love affair with Simone's for the past year and a half ever since we moved to Pilsen. It has everything that people say: amazing decor, cool cocktails, yummy food, a young urban vibe that makes it not out of place from a Wicker Park joint. It's also amazingly hit-or-miss on service. So even though we've come here pretty much once a week, I can't give it four stars! What we like: Simone's weekly specials! On Mondays, you can get a PBR tallboy and personal pizza (quinoa and avocado is the best) for just $6. On Thursdays, special cocktails such as the wonderful Outsourced (which has Frangelico and chai mix) is just $6. The rest of the food is consistently delicious too! I've had the vegan quinoa and black bean burger ($8) before, and been delighted. A perennial favorite is the BLT with avocado (used to be $7, now $8). The empanadas (3 for $5) are yummy, and the house mix of regular and sweet potato fries comes with every sandwich. What we dislike: The service has been spotty from the very beginning. Sometimes, the wait staff constantly badgers you, taking away every plate and fork and empty cup as soon as you finish it. More often than not, however, it takes 15 minutes for them to take your order, and then another 20 minutes to get your check. We wish we could have two beers here, but it's often a one-beer meal since it's sometimes impossible to get a hold of the staff. We've just started ordering food along with our drinks since we usually know what we want. One Sunday night, we were treated to a DJ who was playing raucous music and who didn't seem to understand the volume dial on their equipment. Like I said, really hit or miss sometimes. All those things being said, they recently added outdoor seating during the summer with a lovely mural, and I'm kind of hoping we'll be able to go tonight! Simone's is dear to our hearts, and at the same time, a bit exasperating. Just take your service with a grain of salt.

R T.

If you're like me, you really enjoy horchata but always sort of wish it would get you buzzed. That's where the Selma comes in -- this cocktail from Simone's comes as close to the Coquitos they make in Puerto Rico as I've had in Chicago. The Toy Gun is also really interesting -- they make it with basil. I saw the bouquet of basil at the bar and asked one of the bartenders what it was for; "oh no, that's mint," said this guy in skinny jean cutoffs and an anonymous trucker hat. I was unimpressed with that guy. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was new or something. But the other bartender explained all about it and was generally pretty solid. Cool decor. Decent people. I'll come back.

Love S.

I've always had a thing for Pilsen. When I lived in the South Loop 4 years ago, I was planning to move to Pilsen, but ended up not finding the right space. I was already frequenting the neighborhood to see my hair stylist who works in the area. I've always thought that in time, Pilsen would blossom into a cool(er) area than it already was. It was only a matter of time before people tapped into this great neighborhood. If you could have seen the space before it became Simone's (two old, run-down spaces - a garage and a business front), you'd be as amazed at the transformation as I am!! The work that was done by the guys at Salvage One (Alter Ego) is genius!! More importantly, the fact that they used salvaged materials and turned them into functional decor is fantastic. Visually, Simone's is phenomenal. There isn't anything quite like it in Chicago - perhaps the U.S. One of my favorite pieces is the giant hanging lamp in the 'Lab', that looks like something straight out of 'The City of Lost Children'. When you go back there, you'll know what I'm speaking about. This is definitely a destination spot for locals and those visiting Chicago that want to check out a one of a kind space. I missed the soft opening and the Thurs party due to being sick, but came in on a snowy Sunday evening with the bf and friends to absorb all that is Simone's. We walked in and peeped our friend Matty at the decks. He was spinning an eclectic set that meshed perfectly with Simone's. Yes, the recycled seat belt seats are some of the most comfortable I've sat in!! I loved this section from the time I saw the pillars, which made me feel as though I'm in some foreign land. I was pleased to see that the menu pages that I had created were in good shape - clear and easy to read, and the colors looked good. The format is being changed for better handling. Since I did the layout of the menu, I was very familiar with the food that was going to be offered, so on to that. I wasn't drinking much since I had just gotten over a cold, so I ordered the Sprecher Hefeweizen vanilla citrus wheat beer - pretty much as light as you can get. For an app, I ordered the spinach and artichoke, and black bean and banana empanadas, which I thought were quite tasty, especially with the sauce they were served with. Yum! Next I had the vegan burger made with quinoa and black bean, along with mixed fries - plain and sweet potato. Pretty good. I ended with a sliver of the Tres leches cake - Oh yesss!!!! Muy bueno!! Looking forward to tasting brunch!! The drink list is extensive and on another night, I shall dive head first into some of the cocktail concoctions. I spotted a few of my favorites in the back 'Lab', St Germain, Plymouth Gin, and Le Tourment Vert. These will make for one fine evening. I'm thrilled that Simone's is here in Chicago and in Pilsen. I hope the neighborhood continues to grow and change with the old and new mixed in for all!! Cheers to Simone's!!

M A.

Simone's is amazing. I've craved their tempura since my first bite, and haven't regretted a single item I ordered off the menu I love the beer selection, the weekend brunch, the cool decor and the casual atmosphere. And if you're a working student like me, home isn't necessarily the most productive place to be. But I've stayed here nearly half a day on a slow weekday just working at a table with a cup of coffee after a meal, and the service has always been attentive and friendly. Their wifi is great, and outlets aren't too hidden, which enables me to power through a ton of work all at once. Unfortunately, I'm a northsider that can only make the trip once in a while, but when I do, it's always great.

Jason Z.

SImone's is unbelievible inside. The decor is just amazing. I'm sure it must have cost a fortune to make the place that gorgeous. The next day, I told all my friends I went drinking in Pilsen (and then them replying, "Pilsen"?), I told them how great this place looked inside. After raving about the bar, they asked me, "besides the look, how was the bar?" And I went, "ehh, it was ok." It's not a Pilsen bar. It's not. Maybe it's a Pilsen bar ten years from now, if it continues on it's tread and becomes a current version of Wicker Park. But for right now, it just doesn't belong in Pilsen. They have an extensive signiture cocktail list, which were good, but of the frou frou side. One drink had pop rocks all along the rim of the glass. There are only 2 domestic beers on the menu, PBR and Old Style. The rest are all high quality micro brews. That being said, the staff was fantastic the waitress, Kiran, was beyond nice. She stopped and joked around with us, not just bring drinks or taking our order, but actually having a converstation with her. So it gets 3 stars for the decor, and the staff.

Naomi G.

If you're in the Pilsen area, it's worth checking out (certainly better than the college sports bars a little further north in university village). This is a very hip, trendy bar...a lot of times there will be a live DJ spinning, and the decor/atmosphere/lighting is very cool. The food is solid and vegan friendly. As other reviewers have mentioned, the food and drinks are on the pricey side...especially for the Pilsen area....though perhaps fitting with the atmosphere. It's been very crowded every time I've been there, which is admittedly only a handful of times. The crowd is a bit trendy, young professional, (mostly late twenties to mid thirties - at least when I've gone). I tend to prefer dive bars though, so I don't go that often even though I live in the area. If you do too, head down Halsted to Skylark!

eric f.

yes vegan black bean burger was TASTY with a medley of sweet potato + reg fries \m/ good beer selection + nice patio to enjoy food and/or drink on makes it a nice chill spot. INSIDE behind the bar they have the same weird design as the Boiler Room (logan square), i find it very unattractive, kind of like steam punk meets fraggle rock meets meets star trek. maybe its a prompt to get really drunk so it appears "cooler"?

Dave P.

My like/dislike relationship with Simone's continues.... I end here at least a couple of times a month with friends, co-workers, teachers and union brothers and sisters. I live two blocks from here...I can drink and walk home, quite a luxury. The interior is great.... The vibe is great... Beer selection is pretty good.... Food is okay.... The prices suck.... Beers are still $1.50 to $2 more than the other Pilsen bar. And the other Pilsen bar has better food. Why the discrepancy in beer prices Simone's, why?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Adjoa T.

Great service, great food, great music. Came in for late lunch/early dinner with a friend and I immediately loved the ambiance. Our waitress was very welcoming and attentive. I ordered 3 of the 4 (?) types of empanadas and my friend, the hummus. The food arrived in a decent amount of time and both were delicious. I also love the decor. It's just a very cool atmosphere to be in. I'm definitely coming back. Probably today, even!

Michelle E.

Just went to Simone's last night for their grand opening, and had a great time! Maybe because I was there with Simone's new favorite customer, Vivian Y! :) The decor is VERY cool. Everything is made out of re-purposed stuff, like pinball machines, seat belts, and bowling alley floors! I REALLY wanted to unbuckle one of the seat belts holding up the back of our booth...but I didn't. I'll save it for when I'm wasted, and therefore can't be held responsible for my actions! Vivian raved about the burger she had earlier that day for lunch, but I decided to try something else so that we could get a good feel for the menu. We started out with 3 of their empanadas. I thought they were a but thin - I am used to empanadas being STUFFED with deliciousness! We tried the chicken, spinach & artichoke, and black bean & banana. The sauces that accompanied them were all super good, I especially liked the cranberry one. I think my favorite was the black bean & banana, but I just wish there had been MORE stuffing in it! For my entree I ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich. I am a BIG fan of Monte Cristos, but I have found that every place I have been to makes them differently! Unfortunately I found Simone's to be a bit bland. It was turkey and cheese on french toast bread. There was supposed to be some cranberry relish on there, but I didn't taste any. Most Monte Cristos I have had have both turkey AND ham, and lots of cheese. However, I did love the mix of regular and sweet potato fries! Thanks Simone's, for not making me choose between the 2! Vivian ordered the Simone's Pizza, which was easily the most puzzling pizza I have ever eaten. The pizza is a rosemary and potato pizza. All savory flavors, right? But there was a definite SWEETNESS to it. It seemed like it was in the crust, because as soon as the crust touched my tongue, I could taste something sugary! The 3 of us were sitting there trying to figure it out for a good 10 minutes! We finally came to the conclusion that there had to have been a mistake in the kitchen, and someone had accidentally sprinkled powdered sugar instead of flour on the pan. Proud of our culinary detective work, we asked our server about it, and we learned it was NOT a mistake! Turns out that the chefs use a rosemary simple syrup on the pizza. OK, definite points for creativity! But I just didn't enjoy it on the pizza. I could definitely be into rosemary simple syrup in a cocktail! But not on a savory pizza. The beer list must be really cool and fancy, cuz I had only heard of 1 or 2 of the beers! I tried a few different kinds, which were all OK, but to be honest, I am not a big beer drinker. Mr Man, an aficionado of microbrews, would definitely appreciate this unique beer list. Even though I wasn't blown away by the food, the staff here really made my visit pleasurable. Our server, Molly, was friendly, and knowledgeably made beer and food recommendations for us. We also had a chance to chat with the owners and they were all very cool. You can tell that they are very proud of their establishment, and happy with the crowd they had on their grand opening night! Since this is so close to my best friend's house, I am sure we will be coming here pretty often. I think it's a unique addition to the neighborhood, and I'm looking forward to lots of fun nights here!

Devin C.

I've been here on a weekend and didn't care for the crowd or the music, but the beer selection is nice. Checked the place out again for a Thursday rockabilly night, and had a terrific time. Good service despite being understaffed both times, and good drinks even though they're a bit on the steep side for the neighborhood. I'd certainly check it out again on the right night. +1 star for Young's Double Chocolate Stout on tap.

James V.

So, just got back from Simone's and I had no idea that this place was about to open. Looks like tonight was the second night it was open and it was decently crowded. Granted, my fiancee and I got there early (7pm) and was able to grab a seat in either of the three rooms, we chose the back room near the 'science bar'. I have to say that I've frequented the Skylark for some time now and I'm very happy to see some options opening up in the neighborhood. The crowd was VERY ecclectic, from your average 'ironic hipster' to your after-work-loop-business-drone. How was the food? I loved it. I had the Pilsen Burger and my fiancee had the Simone's Pizza, we enjoyed both very much. And the beer selection? AWESOME. They carried some of my favorite beer: from Great Lakes Fitzgerald Porter to various DarkHorse varieties (all at reasonable prices as well). How was the music? From what I was able to pick out, I heard some Radiohead, Postal Service, Air, St. Germaine, and general loungy-downtempo electronica. No four-on-the-floor house/techno. Of course, I noticed that they have a DJ booth, so I'm speculating that the music is likely going to be driven by the DJ's mood, but the LEVEL of the music was set quite nicely. I didn't have to SCREAM over it and yet I was able to recognize songs as they came on. Overall: I'd go back in a heartbeat, the waitstaff was very attentive and the atmosphere was relaxing. Having lived on the Southwest Side my whole life, I'm very happy to see a place like Simone open up.

Mr. N.

This place has some pretty spectacular interior design and while I don't know all of the details, I'm pretty sure a lot of the decoration is made from "up-cycled" or restored material. Very nice. I don't really go on busy nights, I like it more with that weekday nightcap kind of feel. Great place to just sit and stare off with your favorite drink in hand or to grab a late night snack. And yes the menu is very tasty, but sometimes feels a bit too greasy. So it isn't exactly a healthy place for all of its "green" decor. The service is a bit random in quality. While I do like how friendly the barters are, I wish that when it came to food they would be a bit more accurate with my order. Half the time I've ordered food it was off a bit and once it was even completely wrong. No discount offered. Now, this is not to say that they aren't working hard or being kind, its just a little clumsy. I probably wouldn't care if the design of the place wasn't so great strangely. Overall positive results. Also, in terms of the gentrification thing, yes this is totally gentrificating Pilsen, but this spot in particular is almost always half full with local latino patrons. So it does have a balance, unlike some places where you go in and its like yuppie ville in the middle of ghetto ville. Overall great job. :)

Connie P.

We were there on the second night of opening. We loved it! Great decor, sexy staff, decent crowd. My long island almost knocked me out because the bartender girl had such a heavy hand. wow, that was a great drink. We will be regulars.

Amy D.

I loved it. I thought it was a very cool looking place and something Chicago doesn't have. The beer selection is great. We went for brunch and I got a bloody mary. It was strong and good. Howard got just a cheeseburger and I got the empanadas. I thought the food was just ok, but I think the service, ambiance, and drinks make up for it b/c that's what I'd be going for, not necessarily for a stellar meal. I think it's a keeper!! Yay to another option in Pilsen, it's great!!!

Linda C.

What a gem. I saw mention of this place on 190 North, and since I often go to Pilsen for groceries and meals, I was delighted to try a new place. I really like it. I ordered their Roast Red Pepper and Fennel soup, which was so creamy and delicious. It wasn't overly seasoned. In fact, I'd have to say the soup was very mild flavored which kind of surprised me. But, it was very rich, and yummy. I also had their signature omelet. I have to tell you, the hash browns are a wonderful texture, and very tasty too.....as was the omelet. I can't wait to go back again. It's a great location, in Pilsen, and it's not that far from University Village. Can't wait to return, and this time, I'll sit in the back too.

Sarah-jayne M.

I really like this bar. Good ambience and a good crowd. Drinks are reasonable. Food is basic, fried appetizers and pizza but well priced and just what you need when snacking at a bar. Interesting decor makes this place worth checking out!!

nancy b.

i rarely get the chance to go hang in pilsen (thanks, my friend, for moving to china!), but i always look forward to a night at simone's whenever i do get down there. they mix some fantastic and unsuspecting cocktails (think scotch mixed with...what?), their food is really good for a neighborhood bar, and the service is always friendly and un-rushed. definitely recommend stopping in if you're in the hood!

Juliette S.

Once again, this is another bike date review. Sam and I finally went here after thinking about it for about a year. Great vegan burger for me, yummy regular burger for Sam. Decent service but one waitress seemed more easily confused than the other. All in all, we'll definitely be back on another bike date! Oh! Lots of bike parking!

Michelle S.

I have lived in Pilsen for a few months and stumbled upon this. SO AWESOME!! Awesome inside and nice peaceful outdoor seating with no busy street traffic. They took there time to make it a place that is a great bar and great restaurant too. I was super happy with all the vegetarian options, and you wont break the bank for a really tasty meal. Try it, and the empanadas, handmade mozzarella sticks are amazing! Will be back soon!

Robyn T.

I have been wanting to come check out Simone's for way too long and usually when you have such high expectations, there is room for disappointment. Not so! Instead I was left wondering when I'll come back for a craft brew and tasty empanadas. When I can watch cult classics like Jaws on the little sets above the bars. And when I can sit back relax and do some really quality people watching. Hipster vibe but definitely supporting some folks from the neighborhood too. Didn't feel like I had to act or look a certain way to feel comfortable here which is always a plus. Obviously the pin ball decor is totally out of this world and bears mentioning!

Miguel A.

Great beer selection and sweet potatoe fries! You must try the Buffalo Wing Burger.

Kairo C.

I adore this bar! Why? 7 heavenly reasons: 1) the beer selection is exciting. it gives my exploratory behavior multiple options to try. and i think the prices for good beer is reasonable ($4-$5 ave). ive tried maybe 6 different beers there i had never had before and i dig em all. i even seek the brews out now when im stockin my fridge. i wish every bar had such variety. if you're shy they have shooters to taste any one for $1. 2) the music is key! ive been here both when there was a dj (great eclectic mixes) and a live band and they have always provided some food for the soul! i get bored hearing the same remixes of overplayed music from the radio or the agonizing over-saturation of music that every cover band and their mother plays; simone's doesn't have that problem. 3) the decor is sooo inspiring! i greatly appreciate a thought-out atmosphere. their ambiance of silent films, pinball-made-lighting, recycled seatbelts for seating, lab flasks displays and hand-made chandeliers, local art.... almost every aspect of their decor reeks of creativity. inspires me to go home and try to make something outta nothing martha stewart style. 4) their food is awesome. and not necessarily typical, which is good; but awesome nonetheless. i am in love with their turkey monte-cristo. i would go there on a sober night just to eat that! veggie tempora w wasabi is a great appetizer to share and every time i see someone around me eatin their nachos i almost scream "make that two!". i would feel confident ordering anything off their menu cuz i have been satisfied with everything ive tried so far. 5) they have an outdoor patio and bags to play which ive yet to explore. the summer is still ahead of me. 6) i am sure one day this summer i will get shit-canned at simone's and come back the next mornin for brunch. hasn't happened yet. but i have a dream that one day.... i see their advertisement for brunch and im always like "damn i just ate", and unless your bulimic there is no refund button on ur tummy to make room for more, even for their awesome turkey-cristos. 7) the crowd is very diverse. i dont feel old, or young, or boring, or prissy. i can go a lil grungy and itd be fine. i can go in a sassy lil dress and i dont feel outta place. ive held conversations with other people varying from gray hairs, to long beards, to dreads, to lady-shaved heads; everyone ive come across is an individual and its refreshing. i dont feel like im going to get swarmed with a hive of hipsters that try to be hipsters.

Bridget S.

Came here because some friends were here/DJing and well, there really wasn't anything else going on. Convinced my friend to drive (let's face it, it's nowhere near my neighborhood, and a cab ride would've cost too damn much), and found parking pretty easily. The inside is INCREDIBLE. I love pinball, so you can imagine how delighted I was to find an entire pinball motif. The DJs were great (as I had expected) and the sound system was stellar. I only drank one cider ($5), but was so hungry and ordered chicken nachos per suggestion of a friend. SO GOOD. I don't know what it was, but they were simply tasty (not typical of bar food). Only gripe was that the bar staff was a bit sluggish. I realize that it was quite crowded when I arrived, but it didn't even look like they were hustling. Oh well. I hope to be back, even though it's out of the way.

Khadijah L.

I've visited Simone's bar thrice, and what really prompted me to write this yelp review are the chicken quesadillas. Just thinking about them is making me salivate right now. To me, a quesadilla is simple. Its pieces of chicken and cheese smacked in between tortillas. Crispy outside, melty inside. My default safe and good bar food, but never amazing. These ones: amazing. The chicken is juicy, the type of cheese they used is flavorful, and the guacamole that comes on the side is great too. Overall, I think they have some decent food here. A little more fancy than your average bar food. Their sweet potato fries: delicious. The black beans and banana empanadas: interesting. I'm not so much of a beer drinker but I'm told that their beer list is pretty decent. The space is awesome too, decorated with recycled pinball machines, open and spacious. There is a fireplace in one corner, and a row of more quieter nooks. I was here on a Tuesday night and there's a decent amount of people dancing. Yes, DANCING. A good place to hang on a weeknight. Never been here on weekends. Some of their servers seem nonchalant-to-not-care sometimes. I recommended this place to some coworkers who live nearby and they liked the place too. The crowd seems diverse. I'll be back when my DJ plays again. 4 stars. Worth checking out.

eStephanie M.

The buffalo chicken sandwich is so good. The decor is pretty cool and they have an outdoor seating area. They have a drinks menu, but you are more than allowed to ask for your own concoction.

Cindy D.

Went here for a quick b-day dinner tonight.. tried a couple of beers which were surpisingly good.. Got a basket of fries, nachos, and shared a burger with my sister.. Fries - actually were really really good with the garlic dipping sauce Nachos - good with a huge dollop of sour cream Burger - dry.. and actually not very good at all Great use of space and alot to look at. I'm looking for a rehearsal dinner venue.. so this might be an option :)

Sylvia R.

Went back in July, Nice bar, clean, cool atmosphere. The Food was pretty good too. Had a idiot drunk standing over me spitting on while having a full fledge conversation with the bartender. Completely rude. That could've happened anywhere so this time, that will get a pass. But I'd definitely go again.

Phil F.

This place is obviously a really good addition to Pilsen, it being a non ethnic restaurant and inspired by current food and cultural trends. The interior is super interesting, a lot of reclaimed stuff including video and pinball game parts. Its just super neat. And their food is also quite good. The empanadas are decent and the sandwich that I had was nice. I do want to make the trek back down sometime soon and see if this was a fluke experience or I was just in love with the atmosphere..... ;)

Megan L.

A couple of friends and I decided to meet up for a couple drinks last night and finally checked out Simone's. Definitely a cool place! I tried the Shirley, Temple of Doom. Quite tasty, and deserving of the name - I can see those getting someone (possibly me) in trouble. They go down very easily. My companions also had a couple of margaritas - the first one was a little too tart for one of them, but the second round appeared to have been cut with some orange juice, which helped. They also decided to try the "grab bag." It sounds like Simone's changes out their bottled beers fairly frequently, but as a result, tend to have some random bottles around. So what do they do? They sell them in the "grab bag" for $3.50 - the catch is that you don't know what you're going to get. Last night, we got a Vanilla Stout (can't remember who makes it), Point Ale, and Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. Very fun, but not a good idea if you aren't adventurous about beer. The menu looked very tasty, but we'd all had dinner before we decided to go out, so we just split an order of nachos. The chips were freshly fried, and all the ingredients were great - the whole thing just tasted fresh. My only complaint would be that they didn't give us enough of the salsa that was served on the side - that stuff was good. Anyway, our experience with the nachos bodes well for the rest of the food. Can't wait to try it!

Jennisa P.

Hands down my fave neighborhood bar when I lived in Pilsen. Has a super duper hipster vibe- plenty of skinny jeans vintage clothes and bikes. : ) But still super friendly bar. Last weekend, we had a guy who kept engaging us in conversation but in a pleasant way. We ordered the nachos and basically destroyed it. If I wasn't in public, I may have licked my plate. The have a really cute outdoor area to enjoy the summer sun. The drinks are super tasty and strong! I had a few whiskey sours and the bike ride home was amusing! Overall, a great place to meet friends and drink the night (or day) away!

Abigail D.

Reading others reviews for this place is somewhat hilarious. Call me simple but going down to this place from my River North domicile was a nice change. I'm not going to get into the whole gentrification bit that a few others have debated - I'm not here to Yelp about Simone's impact on the socio-economic wellfare of the neighborhood or on ruining/enhancing the "hipster" vibe. Please. It's a place to go grab a brew and bite with friends and enjoy a unique vibe and truly delicious bar food. This is not average bar food. It's got a vegan/veggie mix thing going on while also still catering to carnivores like myself. Oh, and they don't have any shellfish on the menu which I really dig since I'm deathy allergic. Simone, I don't know who you are, but let's meet again soon.

Anastasia Beaverhausen I.

Great beer selection and cocktail list, with different menu for the neighborhood. Cool ambience. For the most part , this is a relatively enjoyable place that obviously has drawn a crowd from all corners of the city. Id go for a beer a specialty cocktail but dont expect much from the food. SInce their opening it has gotten progressively worse. I still venture on their nachos and maybe a burger, ...stay away from the pizza and pbr deal, ive ordered it multiple times and it just is terrible. IF u wanna hang out and its late and u want a decent drink selection with average food, this is ur place.

Edith R.

This is the place to try different types of beers. The lagers are very flavorful and rich. The food is also decent...a little overpriced on a few things but the atmosphere more tan makes up for it. Even the yuppies from university village go to Simone's Recommended drink: Scrumpy's Hard apple cider. It's like Mike's Hard Lemonade, but in apple juice format. It's a big bottle and costs $12 but I haven't heard a bad review yet, when I share it. Recommended Pizza: Try the quinoa pizza. It's very flavorful and the crust is think but sturdy. Recommended "snacks: try the empanadas or the sweet potato fries. The empanadas are nice and flaky. The sweet potato fries are a nice teist to the ho hum boredom of fries.

Elyse C.

Simone's is good, not great. The Sunday special is the only real reason to go--good selection of craft brews for a better price than most places ($4!). The waiter who works on Sunday is cool, otherwise service is usually spotty. Typical hipster bar.

Julie A.

I really liked this place. Thevginger beer is yummy..I get mine with a splash of grenadine. I enjoyed the expands and grilled cheese w tomato soup. I would recommend this place as a great casual get together and grab a small bite or sandwich. The decor is so fun and cool . BTW...the Chicago flip - smells like a Christmas tree...its not a bad thing, just different

Shina R.

How cool; is this place?? I hosted trivia there on Tues and had such a good time. The crowd was great, the decor is super dope, what I'd call future retro! Just a great place in Pilsen to catch a drink and some good bar food (mixed reg & sweet potato fries = YUM) after work, or anytime.

Josh C.

This place was the bee's knees. What the hell does that even mean? More simply, I really liked this place. It was decked out as if they wanted to capture the vision of what the year 2000 would be like, if imagined in the 1950's. A world where all of the humans are dead. Where robotic creatures used poisionous gasses to poison our asses. Yes, there is good beer here. However, I think what makes a good bar is having the option of good beer, AND cheap beer. This bar has both. Lets face it, of course you look "cooler" ordering an obscure import. But what is more important? Looking "cool," or being able to retire someday, because you didn't blow all our cash on fancy beer, collectable spoons, and/or high quality porn when you were younger? The music was also good the night I was there. There was a DJ playing all tango music, which is something I wouldn't have expected, but I appreciated it. I just wish that I lived closer to this place, so I could visit again.

Unknown K.

The food remains mediocre. The service has become even more rude and pretentious. It's a bar people, get over yourselves. You aren't standing up to the man and saving the world by slinging burgers and serving beer. If you can't be a moderately effective bartender and server by treating your customers like... well... customer instead of some interruption to your fabulous life, then get a different job. I'm so sick of the pretentiousness of these kind of places. I'm not going back again.

Shante D.

I actually give this place 3.5 stars. Wouldn't say I'm a fan----but, I'm a fan. :-/ The fact that I was with a companion that I liked, didn't hurt matters. First went here a couple of months ago with a 'friend.' it was his suggestion/pick. We went on a weeknight (a Thursday.) It wasn't very crowded at all. A bit dead. But I still enjoyed. The decor is cool, service was good, my drinks were ok--well they were actually pretty good. Oh--and King Kong (or was it Big Foot?) was playing on the TV Screen. We had potato fries and bounced. We went back a few months later (June, I think)...this time on a Sunday. It was pretty late when we got there. Still, not all that crowded. I hear that there is a DJ on certain nights. The bartender was cool (turns out I'd met him before AND he recently won Metromix's Bartender award). I see the potential for this place and def would become a regular.

Tony C.

Food and Drinks are awesome, live music is great. North Side bar in Pilsen.

Sarah W.

Second time checking out Simone's. Overall a great place for a beer (awesome beer list) and a burger (vegan & beef). Fries are awesome but the service is slow. Cute outdoor dining area too! There is street parking, however I would caution anyone driving there after-dark. Simone's is not in the "greatest" area and upon leaving last Saturday around 8pm, my fiance and I walked through the aftermath of a bloody street brawl. I know that it's the city but I just did not feel super safe.

scott a.

It's a pretty huge joint, and is swarming with hipsters. So what. It's really close to home, and serves good food and has a good beer selection, and has cheapish beers available. They are also open pretty early. It feels like a place up north but that would usually take me at least a half hour to get to but it's right here on the southside. I think Simone's rules. They get four cuz sometimes it gets outrageously packed and some bartenders can be sub-par. Why aren't there more places like this in Pilsen/Bridgeport??? Until there are Simone's will dominate.

Sarah E.

I totally would have given this place 5 stars but I really don't like the crazy wait for a table (during peak hours). The atmosphere is really laid back and I love the re purposed seat belts for the booths and the old TV monitors and the blown glass chandelier. Their Shirley temples are the best non alcoholic option and the Pilsen burger makes my mouth water. Their menu is a bit limited but on the upside...you can have a breakfast hamburger...yay for meat in the morning!

Elisa R.

This place has the best sweet potato fries!

Q D.

The bartenders are very friendly here. It's a great place to come hang out with some friends, but if you expect to get wasted when you go here, expect to shell out some dinero. Drinks are way over priced and not strong at all. This place just has a good ambience.

Sharon S.

Second time here. Unique interior and comfortable. Most importantly the burgers and salads are good. Service was satisfactory, prices okay.

Guy G.

Food, drinks are good. WTF With dj, sounds?!!? Someone needs to teach these morons how to check their levels, a real freakn downside. You can't blast shitty punk and think it sounds good. If no one is in the bar (late) turn that shit down! I would go back, but music is shit. Your not going have a good conversation there. I barely could tell bartender what I had ordered was. It's a loud bar with food.

Jessica G.

The food was really good... like someone else mentioned, the blue cheese burger is yummmmo.. it does seem a little out of place for the neighborhood and the music was too loud for dinner conversation.. i'm kinda bummed that i didn't get flirted with from the face melting hot servers... wtf!!

Brad F.

I really like coming to simones. I love the decor with all the old pin ball games on the wall. The food is pretty good. Its a great place to come meet friends for a couple drinks after work and a bite to eat.

steve k.

Pilsen has been spiraling out of control over the past few years with young/rich/poor wannabe art students running rampant around the hood. Simone's Bar is the Starbucks of bars in Pilsen in my opinion, except where Starbuck's employees have to at least pretend to be polite and look like they give a shit, Simone's bartender Chris gets a big fail. This was my second time there and I was pretty excited to get off a long day/night of working serving others. I figured since I was in the neighborhood and don't come to Pilsen often, why not go where its semi diverse with neighborhood people and transplants. Decor is cool, place is clean, large, and kind of your average bar...until I met Chris - handlebar mustache, plaid shirt, scruffy face - the works. I don't know what we did to rub him the wrong way except to ask him what was on draft BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GIVE US A DRINK MENU DICK! He immediately sighed in front of us and rolled his eyes and started telling us, so to be polite I simply said "just give us two IPA's" because clearly asking what was on tap must have been something I should have known going in. He comes back and I ask him for a simple lager to which he then sighs and rolls his eyes again! SORRY FOR MAKING YOU DO YOUR JOB AND TRYING TO BUY MORE BEER! Simple tasks, I didn't ask him to brew the fucking beer in front of me. So then we dreaded asking to order food but we did and then he comes come back with a bill before we got our food! So we moved to a table as soon as it opened and we can see him visibly pointing at us and shaking his head at a server. I ask him why he gave us the bill already to which he replied "it got real busy so I thought I'd close you out." I guess we were done drinking according to him? HE GOT THE ORDER WRONG TOO!!! He gave us an extra order of fries...I just sucked it all up, and tipped him 30% so his period didn't explode all over the bar. He basically ruined my night and made me feel like a piece of shit. So Chris, I salute you - fuck you and get that stick out of your ass, I'm sorry your single track bike got stolen, maybe they didn't have your green plaid shirt to wear...whatever it was - my bad. I pray for the day I have to serve you food or I'm in the position to make or break your day because I unlike you would never take my anger/frustration out on paying customers the way you did. I guess rolling eyes and sighing is like soooooo in.

Christine H.

As often as I've been here, I'm surprised I haven't written a review yet! This has become my default hangout whenever someone comes to visit me in Pilsen. The drinks are consistently good, the waitstaff is friendly and there's a good selection for vegans. :-) I highly recommend the sweet potato fries and vegan burger. The quinoa pizza (no cheese) is pretty good too. Definitely a fun place for young adults to catch a drink and it's not always super-crowded.

Justin B.

This is a fun little bar in the Pilsen neighborhood with lots of character. They food is good and the atmosphere is pretty chill. There are generally DJs on the weekends which is a plus for adding to the environment. There are also a lot of interesting beers on tap and a full bar.

Maureen S.

Be still, my heart. Great food and great drink, and I absolutely love the staff at this place. Everyone is super nice and friendly, and it is such a great neighborhood bar. Some of the drinks are on the expensive side, and I'd like to see more economical options offered during these tough times, but this bar is always a good time.

Jennifer S.

Went here on a Sat night around 9pm. I had seen this place on The Chive, then checked out its reviews on here & visited the website & was excited to check it out. It wasn't busy at all, but picked up a bit after an hour or so. I tried one of their darkest draughts, & it was drinkable but nothing to rave about. I didn't care for The Give Inn either, though it was made nice & strong---I just couldn't hang with the flavor. My bf tried the one that tastes just like Sassafras, but like The Give Inn, not easy to drink for us at that time.....so we resorted to their $3 PBR cans. Also, their online drink menu seemed a lot more extensive than what we were handed at the bar. I walked around a little, but was disappointed as I didn't get to see in person all the neat decor I saw on the website. I didn't ask for any type of tour b/c the bartenders didn't seem all that friendly. They were not rude & were decently attentive, but they didn't make me feel all that welcome I guess you could say. They didn't appear to have a DJ. I was also rather disappointed with the selection of music. It wasn't enough to drive me out, but it wasn't a large selection that was mixed well & what not. I don't recall any names of songs, but I do know a lot of music & nothing was recognizable. I would assume it was a jukebox playing newer music I haven't heard. The only things I really cared for here was the decor that I actually did see, & the Pilsen Burger with Chihuahua cheese, guacamole, & fresh jalapenos. I asked for sweet potato fries (which you pay $1 extra for), but when I got my burger, there was a mix of sweet potato fries & regular fries, but more regular fries. I don't recall reading this on the menu or the bartender mentioning that it was going to be a mix. The sweet potato fries were good, but I didn't get many of them, so another disappointment. I'd like to give the place another shot, but it'd probably be best to bring a group, b/c there wasn't much going on in the form of entertainment. The website indicated they have "events", but there was nothing going on this month it seemed. Still, I'm surprised they didn't have a DJ or anything. Overall, I expected more based off of the reviews I read, so I'm willing to give it another chance, but probably not without a confirmation of an event / entertainment. Oh & I didn't really observe any Hipsters, just a few Rockabillies.

Simone L.

A rock solid bar. We loved this place so much we named our puppy after it. The interior is gorgeous; it's worth going just to check out the old pinball machine decor. A perfect spot for meeting up with friends for a late night drink.

Daniel O.

First of all, let me just say that I love Simone's. LOVE. Good food. Great rotating beer selection. Generally good service and very reasonable prices. Add specials and their always on-point music selection...SOLD. Being just a 15 min walk from my house helps too. Simone's is my go-to brunch spot and my ideal I-want-to-go-out-tonight-but-I'm-lazy-and-don't-­want-to-go-too-far bar. However, the last three times I've been to Simone's, the glassware has been less than spotless. On one occasion, we had to send a beer back twice to get a clean glass. Granted, we've hit a couple very busy weekends and, having worked in the restaurant industry before, I know it can get hectic. BUT, come on Simone's. There is nothing more unappetizing than crud on the rim of your glass. I will continue to patronize Simone's, but I would recommend going on off hours unless you're ok with doing the dreaded send-back. Disclaimer: I'm the gf that co-opted my bf's account.

J. Chuck K.

Simone's has to be a little brother or sister of Boiler Room in Logan Square. Between the decor and the movies on TV, this place is almost an exact replica. No food for us, as we came by for a drink before going to a show down the street. But I was still impressed and enticed enough by the drink menu to come back try the food. Any place that has Solemn Oath's "Snaggle Tooth Bandanna" on tap is okay by me.