Clark Street Ale House

5/21/2008 3:32:12 PM, wednesday, may 21, 2008
Cosy medium size pub. Sits about 70. Very much a watering-hole pub atmosphere. Crowd seems to be mostly early thirties because all early twenties people are hanging out at Piece Brewery (fuck I hated that place). Anyway back to Clark’s Ale House (a much cooler place than that piss-smelling-kindergarten Piece Brewery). I was pleasantly surprised by draft menu which I though was just as interesting as the beer menu at the much more reputed Tap-Room two miles up north. Tap-Room draft-menu was superior quality-wise because they had classic brews. Clark’s menu was about the same size (20+ taps including 2 casks). The menu had a few questionable choices but also had stuff that was more off-the-beaten-path than Tap-Room. They also had about 50 bottles on the menu, all basic local micros except for a few fancy bottles (3F Fantabulous and a few others). But really you go there for the draft menu, the atmosphere and the late hours (I drank there until 4am). I had a Surly Two on tap and after that disappointment I stuck with some classics that I rarely see on tap on the east coast (Bigfoot and Matilda). They have one house beer, a cask beer brewed by Two Brothers but I didn’t try it, A light cask ale wasn’t in order after 12 hours of non-stop drinking.

5/2/2008 9:57:37 AM, friday, may 02, 2008
Decent selection of local taps and some nice bottled brews as well. Had a Surly Anniversary on tap as well as some nice local bottled meads. Very close to the HOJO (2 blocks) where we were staying and standard bar feel inside. Worth a stop in if you’re in the neighborhood.

4/28/2008 9:46:07 PM, monday, april 28, 2008
Very small bar in the middle of downtown. Not a very big place at all, medium sized bar dimly lit with a few tables in there. Selection was decent but check the menu not the board. If it’s on your way like it was back to our hotel go but don’t go otherwise. Overal service was good, beer was decent and it had a cozy vibe to it.

3/21/2008 7:16:03 PM, friday, march 21, 2008
Overall, a pretty small, classy place with a very nice local beer selection. I visited on a busy Saturday night the service was right on, and the beers were tasting good. No food available. Definitely a place worth checking out.

2/16/2008 7:38:07 PM, saturday, february 16, 2008
I really enjoyed my visit here it an approachable bar with about 25 beers on tap. I definitely didn’t get a snobby vibe at all on the Wednesday I visited there were 3 middle-aged women down the bar drinking wine and Miller Lite, and the wait-staff doted on them as much as they did on the craft beer patrons. Beer list was well-thought, but not overly unusual. I think I’d had everything on draft at least once before. Nonetheless, there were a few gem: I had a Surly Furious on tap and a Two Brothers Hop Juice on the beer engine and both were delicious. The bartender wears a tux and this place exudes a ’60s charm. This place seemed like a place for connoisseurs of beer and other items to include scotch, bourbon and cognac. I liked the experience and would like to return to hang out here. Food, even light fare, would be a great addition!

2/3/2008 1:22:33 PM, sunday, february 03, 2008
The beer selection’s more of a small, above average list than a comprehensive selection, but it’s good. The staff is friendly, and the music is quiet enough for you actually hold conversations. The biggest killer here is the lack of food, which severely limits the amount of time you’ll spend here. This place also has Kalamazoo Brewing Company beer, so this is a great place to get what was formerly known as Bell’s Beer in Chicago.

1/9/2008 3:28:17 PM, wednesday, january 09, 2008
Clark Street Ale House will benefit greatly (along with the other Chicago locales) with the smoking ban! It’s a smaller bar with an outdoor patio area. The beer list is solid, but not stellar (although the last time I was there, Darkness was on tap!).. they usually have something like Bigfoot or a good 3F offering at least. Service is usually very good to excellent, and they usually know the beers.

10/22/2007 1:19:53 PM, monday, october 22, 2007
Good selection and prices. I personally like Map Room better but this place seems to be a lot more open and have more space in between tables. Beer selection was great (still second to Map Room though). I had a great server who was knew what she was talking about. Not nearly as smokey as Map Room, which is a plus. I will be going back again.

5/25/2007 5:12:04 PM, friday, may 25, 2007 [ Updated friday, may 25, 2007 ]
I’ve been here twice and it’s a pretty ordinary looking bar. I believe 90% of their taplist is from illinois or the midwest. lots of two brothers, lots of goose island, maybe some new holland. i remember having a bigfoot there too. prices were typical $5 a pint i believe. usually like 15 beers on tap. pretty good place.

4/18/2007 11:40:19 PM, wednesday, april 18, 2007
Reminds me a bit of d.b.a. in NYC, in terms of layout and offerings. A typical big city bar atmosphere. Apparently a small converted storefront. Accessible enough from the loop via rail. Smoky, no food. Nice selection of regional taps. Good service. Worth a stop in Chicago.