The SoFo Tap
4923 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640
The SoFo Tap Menu
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Address :
4923 N Clark St
Chicago, IL, 60640 - Phone (773) 784-7636
- Website https://www.thesofotap.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Ages Allowed : 21+
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Music Videos
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Patrick L.
Cool place. Mixed crowd, not too cramped, outdoor patio, friendly bartenders.
(4)Ross G.
What a great place to have some drinks. The bartenders are a-mazing. Because it is a small neighberhood bar, you will get great service. Karaoke is great here too, a low key, no pressure kind of place.
(5)Jacob Y.
Now that I have been to this establishment more often because my peeps hang and play darts there, and the fact that I know the bartenders, Sofo is warming up to me. This is a very friendly neighborhood gay bar...does it mean you can't go there if you are straight...NEGATIVE. Couple decent drinks with a dart board and a pool table...and a fun atmosphere to sometimes people watch...and I am IN...
(3)Adam M.
I've been here several times, but I particularly enjoy this bar if you're looking for a laid back gay bar on a Sunday afternoon. My partner and I stumbled in here during the summer while apartment searching/bar crawling (hey, you gotta check out the local pubs when looking for some new digs!) We ended up staying here for hours playing pool, talking to the Sunday regulars, and enjoying the welcomed neighborhood dogs that came in. More recently I came here on a Friday night. As others have said, the bartenders are extremely friendly and the crowd is much more laid back than any gay bar you'd find in Boystown. Come here on a Sunday for a relaxing afternoon bar scene (and bring your dog!) Or on the weekend for a nice alternative to Boystown.
(4)Rob S.
SoFo is a fun, unpretentious place to let your boys hang out. People are friendly, and the staff is nicer than anywhere. You can play darts, pool, video poker, or strike up a convo with whoever is sitting next to you. In the summer, you can sit on the patio and drink your juice. So good for you. There's always something going on, although when Sofo will be packed is hard to predict. The crowd tends to be slightly older and not-so-trendy, but I find that to be a huge plus: no high drama, low attitude, and everyone is welcome. Keeps me coming back.
(4)Clint S.
This is a great neighborhood bar under new management as of about a year ago. They've re-tooled the specials and put some money into the bar and marketing. The Friday night "Bear" night is packed wall to wall with scruffy guys, and my favorite is Game Show night every Wednesday. You can also bring your dog inside which makes this place a must-stop whenever I dog sit and take him/her for a walk. The patio during the summer ROCKS
(5)Dave S.
I'm gay only because I'm happy. After a few drinks and dart games at SoFo with friends nothing could be truer; I will be happy. Or drunk. Or both. In a nutshell (pun intended!): friendly, neighborhood bar with darts and pool and enough TVs to please most watcher's eyes. Is it a gay bar? Yes, I suppose most of their clientele is gay but this is not the fetish gay crowd you see at other gay bars. Are they a little older than the 20-something idiots that rule Boystown and Lincoln Park? Yes, thank goodness. If you want to pickup a boy for the night DON'T go to SoFo but if you want a nice, relaxing night out with your partner or friends then by all means stop by this neighborhood bar for some drinks. Are the prices higher than most bars in the neighborhood? Yeah, OK, a little. I don't do mixed drinks when I go out for the simple fact that a cocktail at one bar is $3 then at another bar the same drink is $7. With beer you pretty much get the same $3 - $5 range with the same consistent beverage each time. So, stop complaining your cocktails cost so much when you go out; if you wanted to drink cheaply you'd do it at home. Or switch to beer that has a consistent flavor and generally stable price; $7 for a double-pint is a good deal no matter what the bar. The bartenders here are incredibly friendly and very accommodating. It is a neighborhood bar so if you're new to the bar you might have to wait a couple minutes while the bartender finished a conversation or pour with a regular. Get over it; every neighborhood bar operates this way. That's why they are neighborhood bars and the locals like them. I don't expect to go into your neighborhood haunt and get served like the guy at the end of the bar who lives there. Wednesdays is "Wasted Wii" night and Thursdays is league dart night. Food is not served in the bar but SoFo's sister bar, T's, will deliver to the bar no problem. We've done this many times. Also, late night, there is sometimes a pizza guy who comes in and sells pizzas for $8. All-in-all, a good bar for locals; gay or straight.
(3)Jon E.
I like this bar, its casual and comfortable. Plus the crowd is just normal bar people. If you MUST watch twinks while you drink, then avoid. Please. Its nothing more than a place to grab a beverage and shoot some pool if its a quiet night. For that I am thankful. As for music it suffers from the stereotype of being a little loud, but to their advantage the vids played are of good music. Last night for instance was all new-wave and 80s hip hop. Cameo? Word Up! Theres always room for improvement on the music front however, at least on the weekends. Also to their credit the drinks are doubles or pints. There aren't small servings here, even for shots. I'll def keep stopping in here when I go out in Andersonville.
(4)Andy M.
As a dog I will say this gay place gets an average rating just for this. Aside fromthe fact that this is a gay bar there is nothing else that makes this place unique or special. it has one of the worse pool tables I have ever seen in a bar too. At least they allow dogs.
(3)Steve K.
I agree with other reviewers that Sofo has some serious flaws. The crowd tends to be fat and middle-aged. The music is wayyyyyyy too loud and their speakers are tinny pieces of crap. The place is a neighborhood bar, not a freakin rave. There can be a serious bathroom shortage, especially on weekends when there are a lot of girls there. Mixed drink prices are crazy, but beer is reasonable. And the bartenders are really nice guys (I take that back if they're responsible for the music volume). Update: Dropped it down a star since they made their entire patio non-smoking. If it was a health issue, that's just hypocritical. They peddle alcohol. If it was because of that stupid 15-foot from a door rule, there's plenty of space on the patio to designate an area for smoking. I personally think that the manager, a former smoker, is just being a dick.
(1)Christina K.
I've been hanging out in Andersonville a lot of late, so naturally I decided to give Sofo a look-see, and I've come to the conclusion that I like what I've seen. The place seems to fill up pretty easily, the crowd's friendly and a mix of straights and gays--nice to see in a hoodie, in my book--and the barkeeps are a good-natured crew. If there's one complaint, yes the music can be a bit loud at times, but I don't think it's consistently so or all that horrendous.
(4)David R.
Nice video bar and its seem like the Sidetrack,but it is nice and warm atmosphere. It 's good to chill with friends and grab some beer , play pool or dart. The bartenders were nice and carry a good smile :) .The only thing that I didn't like was music video and the DJ weren't professional. .BTW we had a good time. :)
(4)Frank T.
Different Strokes was a real dump compared to this place. It's so good to see Kiran made it into the great neighborhood place it is.
(3)Matthew G.
SoFo is definitely what I consider to be a neighborhood gay bar. It's not pretentious, it's not rude. It's pretty low-key. The drinks are good (if a tad pricey) and the service is attentive. The patrons are mostly from the neighborhood, so like the 'hood, there's an interesting diversity. Is it a place I would want to spend an entire evening? Probably not (although I have been guilty of this a couple of times). It's a good place to meet up, chat, make some new friends and decide where to go next. It's also a HUGE improvement over the sketchy Different Strokes bar that used to inhabit the space. Sofo gets a solid three stars.
(3)Katherine R.
We were here for a fund-raising event and the service did an excellent job when the crowd increased and the auctioning took place. Its in Andersonville on Clark just a little north of Lawrence and its a corner bar with a nice atmosphere and spacious bar layout. A few friends and I had a really good time and enjoyed enjoyed the place and the event that night.
(3)natalie v.
Great neighborhood bar. I would love to come back and sit on the patio (it was raining last night when I was there). This is not one of those bars where people go to get trashed. The people are all friendly and welcoming. Specials are great. They rotate their art periodically with pieces of work from local artists. Gotta love all things local. This bar is also dog-friendly. I don't have a dog, but love when I can play dogs for a bit...especially if they're poodles (they're my favorite breed). There were no dogs in last night. They also have a hook on each table conveniently located for your coat or bag.
(4)Rob A.
Nice bar. Went on a Tuesday night after work, got there around 6ish, and it wasn't crowded at all. They had a special that night of double pints for $6 and a small hotdog bar as a kind of a "happy hour" perk. Great deal. Bartender was nice (and cute!) and very helpful. I sat out on the spacious back patio and really enjoyed it. The place is very unpretentious and laid back. Overall, a great bar that I will frequent again. Not sure what it's like on a Friday or Saturday night, but if I'm in Andersonville on either of those nights I'll definitely check it out. I recommend you give it a try.
(4)Courtney I.
I like Sofo because there's a pool table and I can convince my friends to come here to escape the lesbians over at T's. Nice bartenders, pool table...what more could one ask for? Free pool! :p
(4)Brad M.
love this place. and that JJ is just too many things!!!
(5)Michael M.
My good friend has his B-day here every year and even though I am straight I still feel very comfortable here. The drink specials are always great and the music is awesome. If you can go with a group especially in the summer this place it top notch!!
(4)Cam L.
Jeremy is amazing! He had the best playlist of music I've experienced in Chicago to date. I've been to this bar many times. He brought a whole new element to my neighborhood bar. Thumbs way up.
(5)Thomas A.
The staff are so sweet, the patio is amazing. The owners are amazing people who are very active in the neighborhood & social causes. Its deff a bar most could call home.
(5)CJ S.
I like the place. the inside is very nice. I typically try a place out on a night when the crowd isn't as large. Just to get a feel of the place and it's features. Sofo has nice lighting for folk like myself who are half blind at night. Bar seating which fills up fast, with some seats on the outside. If you're tardy for the party you will be in the standing room only section. Hope you wear the good shoes. Over all I think this is a great place and cant wait to try it out on a more busy night. Maybe have a bear sandwich or a D.I.L.F cocktail.
(4)Chris S.
Since my last review, Sofo has turned around. Apparently the same people who own Crew in Uptown own Sofo now. The new owners definitely have their pulse on the neighborhood, and have made the place vastly better with weekly events, theme nights, and a much better selection of music. The back patio is wonderful. The clientele mostly fall into the bear type, although you get a good mix of people regardless of the theme of the night. During off hours, it's a great neighborhood bar and folks from the neighborhood often stop in with their dogs to get a beer and talk with friends and neighbors. Later at night, there's much more of crowd.
(4)Shannon K.
After spending 15yrs in San Francisco, it's no surprise I judge all things (gay) by CA standards. And Sofo Tap, you could hold your own in the Castro. If any of you go to the Castro, go to the Pilsner (or The Pils, as the locals call it) and you will find a very comparable bar/vibe. I love me some friendly gay boys and the bartenders were the most helpful in helping me navigate Andersonville on my maiden voyage. Thank you boys! Sofo is wonderfully divey and if I lived in the hood I would be a frequent consumer. The bar is dog friendly and just plain friendly. I felt very comfortable kicking back at the bar and enjoying my beer. There is an awesome little nicely lit back patio that I can't wait to go back to enjoy in the warmer months! Sofo I like you and would like to go steady. Circle yes or no.
(4)Chris T.
Nice neighborhood bar, with a sweet patio area. Came here on a Saturday night and was pretty busy. This place is definitely for the bear/hairy/older crowd and the men who love them.
(4)Joseph C.
I have lived in the neighborhood for over 10 years and when SoFo came along, it wasn't Earth shattering, but it was a nice, casual bar with good service. I have been a frequenter there for a while, however, since it has become the Sofo Tap (apparently changed owners) the last few times I found the service rude and very slow. Most recently my friend and I walked in on a Saturday night around 9pm; the bar was sparse with customers. There were three people behind the bar. We were never greeted and stood at the service part of the bar for ten minutes. Finally, after not even being recognized that we were there, I convinced my friend we should leave. Only a small group in the corner was being served and they apparently knew the bartenders well. A gentleman next to us at the bar, with a disconcerting expression, said he had been standing there longer and nobody ever even acknowledged him. I won't be back, I don't think my friend will be either.
(1)Natalie S.
Yuck. WTF happened to SoFo? I know it was sold and all but, man, it's a completely different bar. What I loved most about SoFo was that it was like a typical neighborhood/sports bar. But now it's got some crappy theme every night. Also, when did it become a bear bar? I walked in on a Thursday at like 8pm and the bartenders were walking around shirtless, their bulging bellies and man-sweaters on display for all to "enjoy". Lastly, and the main reason I'm downgrading my original review, we were asked to close our tab because the bartender was going off duty. While we've never been asked that before, we obliged. We were rewarded with a triple charge! It eventually remedied itself... but not for *6 days*. If we were some brokies (which thank goodness we're not), having $72 tied up for 6 days in mistakes made by a bartender (who shouldn't have asked us to close and reopen our tab in the first place) could have been bad news. As it was, it was annoying to have to follow up on and frankly, I'm over SoFo if this is what the new owners are bringing to the table. Oh, but they have a popcorn machine. Yay.
(2)WmTomas S.
Casual bar. Friendly staff. I thought it was pricey for a "corner bar" but then ... I'm cheap LOL. Saturday when the weather is good they have "Doggie Saturday" where you can bring your dog in. I did that once, it turned out to be a good idea! Nice patio area in back for the summer months, too.
(3)Robby M.
The place attracts a nice looking crowd for special events, but the service has been lacking. The last time I was there, my friend and I stood at a station with cash in hand as the bartenders ignored us and actually waved people around us to serve them first. After 15-20 minutes of suppressing my reflexive eye roll to the point of inducing a migraine, we were grudgingly acknowledged and served before quickly scampering away with our beers as not to annoy them any more than we already had. If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn we were in a episode of Seinfeld. I'd give this place one star, but the crowd and the space are pretty nice if you don't plan on ordering a drink or interacting with the staff in any other way while you're there.
(2)Ryan F.
This is a great neighborhood spot with an extensive beer menu. They have a nice patio that's great during the summer.
(5)Nikki P.
I went to this bar on a Friday night around 10:30. It is def a gay bear bar. More beards in that place than I have ever seen haha. Bartenders are great and make great drinks. MUCH more reasonably priced than going to say Mini Bar or what not. I drank SoCo and coke all night and they were only $6. P.S. They were in pint glasses not those short ones! The music was great at first but got very odd later in the evening. That would really be my only complaint. No cover and also has a beer garden area. Plenty of street parking nearby. Would def return
(4)Chad B.
Great place, love the "back porch". The scene is laid back and comfortable. I'm from a small town and enjoyed this place immensely; much better area and bar than Boys Town.
(4)Joey Y.
Waffles between deadly boring and annoying sloppy-drunk as far as clientele. If it wasn't in the area I'd really not go there considering the other options in the area.
(2)Clint S.
Perfect, absolutely perfect, neighborhood bar. New owners who have invested in the bar, especially the back patio which is freakishly awesome. Very dog friendly, so bring your puppies and enjoy. Their special events are very popular and well attended.
(5)Jeff J.
Friendly gay, bear bar
(4)Erika G.
Any place that is DOG FRIENDLY gets many stars in my book. Went here last Saturday with a few of the usual suspects and some new suspects, and really liked it. John B., had an accurate description - it's a casual corner bar that just happens to cater to a mostly gay clientele - and, of course, the straight women who love them. Friendly, cute bartenders. Anyone would enjoy coming here. Very welcoming. And, in fact, completing the SoFo experience . . . the aforementioned, the Good Fairy of Yelp, John B., showed up randomly to hang out with all of us! Mon dieu, now my night was complete! Even the crowd itself was friendly and polite, but hey . . . this is why we love Andersonville. Live and let live, darlings, live and let live!
(4)Laura S.
Now that I work in the area, Sofo has become one of my favorite after-shift establishments. More often than not, my coworkers and I stay until close. Ryan is fantastic, funny and attentive. They have some great specials, including $6 double-pints and $15 bottles of wine (try the incredible sauv blanc). And as others have stated, the dog friendliness is an added bonus.
(4)Bradley S.
Partner and I stopped by for a change of pace. We had fun. We played with the pups on a Saturday afternoon. It was a friendly neighborhood get together kind of feel. Nothin' fancy but not a dive either.
(4)Matthew S.
After dinner, its always nice to grab a drink. I've never been here (or the infamous Banana Video upstairs) so I thought this would be a good idea. It is close to home, and I like to support local establishments. I walked in, and the bar smelled a wee bit like wet dog and stale air. So I just ordered a drink. Easy - amaretto over ice. They didn't have any at the bar, and went to get some. For a generic brand, they charged almost as much as I'd pay down town for a drink. Many of the tables (that seat four) were occupied by ONE person. Now I'm friendly and all, but I didn't really want to sit with these people. Either did my date. So we sat along side the wall, where we were constantly asked to move by the people playing pool. And, as for this being an "mixed" bar - I came in wearing a tie, and was looked at as if I were a homeless person with tourettes. And while I didn't take a Kinsey poll, I'd bet two bucks most people were homos. A different kind of homo then me. Our community is a rainbow.... I must have been visiting the wrong stripe. It is a mixed crowd, but I didn't feel welcome, and there are bars closer to me. I'll visit those. Everyone there seemed happy - especially the single people hogging entire tables. Carry on faithful locals, I'm headed elsewhere.
(2)Lisa M.
Very nice and friendly atmosphere! The crowd was happy and pleasant. They only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the gross hand driers in the bathroom. They weren't strong enough to dry ones hands and no paper towels available.
(4)Michael M.
Do not go there on a Sunday unless you're screwing the morbidly obese bartender. If you don't fall into this category you're destined for a boatload of attitude and crappy service!!!! No wonder this place is struggling financially!
(1)John B.
I recently spent a couple of evenings at Sofo, as I was hosting a friend with a dog. This is the most dog-friendly bar I know. Not only are dogs allowed in, but there are almost always dogs in the bar. If dogs are not your thing, this may be a problem. If not, come on down! Or up, as the case may be. Sofo is basically a casual corner bar that happens to be gay. As others have mentioned -- both positively and derisively -- it's a mixed crowd that tends to skew a little older. It's a sad comment on the gay community that we still want our old and less-than-perfect to be shuttered away somewhere. Sofo is very welcoming to all, including straight women and men. The prices are a bit higher than the atmosphere would lead you to expect, which is one reason this bar had never become my regular haunt. But the bartenders are friendly, you can almost always always find a seat, and the back patio is hoppin'. Come with a friend or make a new one at the bar. Especially if you have a dog.
(4)Brittany K.
I went to SoFo around 9pm to kick off a night with my girlfriend. Reading all these reviews on Yelp made me think that this was a lesbian bar, or at least mixed. We walked in and the bar was full of men. Not a problem, just a little awkward. We only stayed for one drink and a quick game of pool. The Captain & Diet I had was pretty stiff and tasty. I love playing pool but the bar was getting pretty crowded at this point so I found myself not really having enough room to play. My girlfriend and I were still the only women in the place after we were done the game and we headed out. I probably won't be back unless I have some guy friends along and want a stiff drink.
(2)Jeff R.
So it's "Sofo" as in So F-ing borning, right? This place is lame. Cookie cutter gay bar without an ounce of originality or defining character. Same sh_tty music as every other bar. On the upside, the bartenders are nice and not bad on the eyes at all. The drinks seem fairly priced. Also, they have a nice outdoor deck for the summer time. It's not a bad place, it just lacks character and interest. Meh.
(2)Joseph H.
What a waste of time. I have never seen a bar host a theme night or event and have so little bar staff. There were only 2 bartenders and a bar-back for a packed house. Getting a drink the first time took no less than 10 minutes. I went back up again to get another drink and gave up after waiting 10 min and having no movement in the line. The beer selection sucks, the staff is slow and discourteous and there were far too many people in the place to be even remotely safe. I honestly was tempted to call the Fire Department to determine if the crowd in fact violated fire code. This was my first time there and will also be my last time there!
(1)Urban C.
I wish this place was better, as it's in my neighborhood. Sadly, the service is not very good. Also: these guys don't seem to care about the neighborhood, in that they are out on the patio yelling all day and into the night, without regard for those of us that actually live nearby. Rude and not neighbor friendly. I liked the "old" SOFO better.
(1)Brenna P.
How refreshing! A lesbian bar with *gasp* "normal" lesbians! I've been to quite a few lesbian bars in my time and most of the time they are dives and/or full of drama. This bar was neither a dive and had no drama. We had a total of 4 beers and some fries on our bill for $21.50. Not too shabby for downtown Chicago. The waitress was fast. The food was ok, but honestly I'd like to have an actual meal before judging it further. There are vegetarian options available. I'll definitely return here when I'm in Chicago.
(4)Stephanie H.
Sofo is, literally, my corner bar. And I'm glad it is. First off...it's dog friendly! Bring in your pooch while you sip the beverage of your choice. The staff and patrons are really friendly and welcoming to all, and there is a big patio in back for those warm evenings. Earlier on or on quieter nights, it's fun to sit at the bar and watch music videos (they still exist!). I'm happy to have Sofo in my neighborhood. There have already been several good memories created here, and I foresee many more to come.
(4)Erik A.
A great place with nice ambiance! Yes, the drinks are a bit pricey, but they also have a nice heavy pour. Most of the bartenders are attentive and friendly. One of them has the personality of my shoe, but at least he will come when called. What makes this place rock is the patrons. If you don't want the busy, crazy and pretentious places down in boystown, head over here for a pint and a game of pool or darts. The colors and decor make it nice and vibrant, yet relaxed. Oh, and I would definitely consider it a gay-friendly neighborhood bar. Most of the guests are probably gay, but many straight couples and friends in the area stop on in too.
(3)Alex A.
Wonderful local hang-out bar! Five stars because of the wonderful bartenders (particularly Ryan) and the fun easy-going atmosphere, and of course the tasty drinks. They often have events (such as Glee Nights) and offer free pizza and drink specials)... Be sure to become a FB fan to get info about their promos.
(5)Damon N.
Size doesn't matter. ...In regards to bars. SoFo may be a small bar but it has a great atmosphere and a nice back out door area. I frequent this bar quite a bit and each time I'm there it's always a blast. They play pretty good music and recently started showing Project Runway on Thursdays. The staff there is really nice and if you go there often enough they have your drink ready when they see you walk in. The price of the mixed drinks is a little high ($7), but they come in big glasses so you feel like you get your money's worth. They also, and I'm not sure that many people know about this, have a game where you can win shots and drinks. I have yet to win a drink, but I did win a shot once. They are also associated with T's so usually you can order take out from T's and have it delivered to SoFo. If your looking for something to do they have a pool table, one of those game machine things, and a dart board. They also have a great dart team that usually throws there on Thursday nights. They also set up a Wii you can play on one of the flat screens. So, if you have yet to check SoFo out, definitely go.
(4)Mike F.
Went here with some girlfriends a couple weeks ago. Had a blast. Probably stayed later than we should have (mostly because my friends were all infatuated with the staff). ;) Good food, nice drink selection, prices were on par with the neighborhood, and as my friends will tell you, cute and cool bartenders. Personally, being a single male, I probably wouldn't come back to this place alone. But out with the girls, good times.
(4)