Local Option

Visited in August 2023. Dark, punk looking bar in a university neighborhood. They had 15 beers on tap and more than 45 bottles/cans. Very good choices which included an extensive list of meads. Cajun food served. A good place to visit.

Somehow I never made it here the year I lived in Chicago. Finally here so that the fiancee could meet the parents and she graciously let me drag her out here. Superb place. Staff clearly just loves loves loves beer and it shows in the draft list and their willingness to talk about what's on draft. And, beyond that, the captive brewpub's beers are interesting takes on their styles - and that's without touching the excellent stuff they have from other brewers. Tons of their captive brewery's stuff, collabs and 3 Floyds stuff (none of which are bad things). Also a few brewers with great stuff of whom I'd never heard. Punk atmosphere, beer-focused place. Go if you're in the Windy City. I would rank above anywhere I've been there. Not rating the food but my fiancee's tater tots were excellent.

When I was planning to visit Chicago back in 2012 (couldn't make it finally) this place was at the top of my list. I visited on a Tuesday night, June 2018 to take part in a bottle share. I liked the ambiance. Some of their own beers on tap along with other nice mostly local ones. Very good service. I didnt try the food. I would go again for sure.

Went a few times when I was studying at the School at Steppenwolf at DePaul. Only now I'm back in the UK do I fully appreciate how lucky I was having a Three Floyds pub on my doorstep! The metal vibe isn't really my thing but its done with style and warmth. Beer-wise, theres a definite emphasis on the quirkier end of the scene. But everything is amazing.

Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this is a Heavy Metal beer establishment, as can be seen on their bottle labels. Yes, the bartender is good at Jeopardy. Great selection of beers on tap, as well as bottle list. This is a friendly place that is probably always fun. The jambalaya is killer and the rest of the menu looks pretty good too.

Love this place. Dark, tiny, low key. Where else does the bartender turn off the music so he can watch Jeopardy, turning the music back on during commercial breaks? Wonderfully weird. About 7 "666" references visible from my seat. 7 ish Local Option beers on tap, a couple dozen guest taps including rarities. Bartender is excellent, friendly, knows the beers. Pricy, but not bad for the quality. Tacos were tasty. I’m a Chicago neophyte but safe to say this is an essential Chicago stop. I’ll be back.

Visited in early July 2015. A touch dark inside, low lights, and a lot of red lights. Heavy metal blaring pretty loudly, but quite the chill and low key atmosphere otherwise. Seven of their own beers on when I went, as well as a good selection of things from Three Floyds, Founders, Dark Horse, Surly, Half Acre, Pipeworks amongst the local and regional offerings, as well as some stuff from Alpine, Firestone, Bruery, Green Flash. Thirty taps total I think. No descriptions on the chalk board, no prices, no ABV listings. But there were some ’rare’ things up there. BCS and KBS just sitting on the tap list all non-chalant like they do that every day. Which they probably do. Downside to the taplist is that there are no sampler sized pours, and no half sizes. Whatever size that beer comes in, is the only option.
While the vibe is metal, the clientele certainly is not. Young 20 something locals who seem to know their beer pretty well, and I’m guessing during the school year, a good amount of De Paul seniors as it’s right up the street (walked through the campus to get here, it was a nice walk).
Didn’t eat but perused the menu – sandwiches and tacos and some standard appetizers. Not a lot of vegetarian options if that’s your thing, but there’s enough variety to keep everyone fed. Bar staff were all super cool and incredibly friendly.