Raven's
A compact, garden-level watering hole legendary for its late-night hours and lack of attitude.
Insiders:
Message from Raven's
Please join us at Ravens where Chicagoans young and old have been enjoying Cocktails and Conversations for more than 30 years! Ravens is a unique neighborhood tavern catering to all walks of Chicago life. We begin our business day early in the afternoon and don't stop serving until well into the morning hours. Whether its cold beers in the Beer Garden, after dinner drinks or late night libations, we can happily accommodate all your drinking needs! Our beer garden offers a comfortable space to relax after work or a day at the beach. With our location, it promises entertaining people watching and is a perfect meeting place before or after all your lakefront activities. The entire bar, like the Beer Garden, can be reserved for any event or party. A gas grill is available for your function. The patio is open until 11pm daily and midnight on Saturday.
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The SceneDespite the tony Lincoln Park address, Ravens is refreshingly frills-free, which is immediately evident as one descends into the dusky basement entrance. Votive candles flicker against the deep-red walls, low-coffered ceiling and framed antique maps of Chicago. The small, rectangular space holds only six or so tables, plus a sprinkling of bar stools; the rest is standing room. Lots of booze goes down the hatch here, powered by a thirsty after-hours crowd, including workers from nearby restaurants and bars.
The Draw
Night-movers are in heaven, blowing off their last bit of steam playing Golden Tee, Galaga, bowling, and eating popcorn, peanuts and M&Ms from the door-side munchie machines. The jukebox carries several indie faves, like Soul Coughing and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Libations include 20 bottled beers like Stella Artois and Harp, 10 micro-brewed drafts like Bell's and Summit Hefe-Weizen and various Grey Goose vodkas.
The Inside Scoop
- Where to Sit - Come summertime, the small square courtyard along Clark Street morphs into a pleasant beer garden.
- Save Time - It's late and you've blown your last bit of cash (and energy) playing Galaga. Luckily, the ATM inside means you don't have to travel far to replenish.
Insider Pages Reviews for Raven's
This bar is great for late night. It gets started after 1 a.m. They have great music, popcorn, bowling and lots of other things to entertain you while you booze. Always have had a good time here!
Posted 03/26/08 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
This bar is great for late night. It gets started after 1 a.m. They have great music, popcorn, bowling and lots of other things to entertain you while you booze. Always have had a good time here!
Posted 03/25/08
An old friend took me here last week.
The other reviews and the picture seem to be a little outdated.
This place is officially a DIVE.
Geez, not the place to take a girl your interested in, at least.
I played the "when in Rome" thing, but I won't be going out with that guy again.
Pros: Ugly, dirty, worn out, smelly
Cons: the bartender did what she could with what she had to work in. She was very pleasant.
Posted 06/14/07
Ravens is a good place to meet people and not spend a ton of money. The juke box has a decent selection, but can use a little more R & B. Drink are affordable and the bartenders don't make you wait an hour for a cocktail.
Pros: Inexpensive, Lot of Single
Cons: Can be too crowded
Posted 02/21/05
Ravens is a great place to hang out, watch the tube (usually a game or movie) and just talk. I love it. Todd, the bartender in the early evening, is aweseome!
Pros: Inexpensive
Cons: No parking
Posted 01/14/03
Ravens is a great after hours bar, then again there's not much else in the area open after 3-4am. But before 3am Ravens is seriously slow and occupied by some obnoxious regulars who can be fairly rude at times. After work...if you're looking for some ok drinks and a guarranteed seat at the bar then Raven is your best bet. If you're looking for a entertainment, great conversation, and/or a hip crowd, Ravens won't be your first choice.
Pros: Inexpensive
Cons: Boring, Dark, Dive
Posted 07/25/02
Great after work scene in the beer garden. Industry favorite on non-weekend nights and late-night on the weekends. Great wait-staff, supurb bartending, great selection of beverages.
The patrons are hit-and-miss...some weekends its a bunch of drunks, other weekends its a bunch of cool, fun people. Maybe it depends what mood I'm in. Not sure if I'd want to pick up a guy there but I always have a good time with the people I go with.
Pros: Great Bar Staff, Great drink selection, Great mix of patrons
Cons: Long line 4 mens room, crowded after 2AM
Posted 07/07/02
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