Big Joe's
Bar · Bowmanville ·
Dive bar featuring pool, darts & legendary Friday night turtle races
Dive bar featuring pool, darts & legendary Friday night turtle races
"If you’re looking for a place with charm, comfort food and neighborhood history (as seen on Wayne’s World), Chicago Joe’s won’t disappoint. The kitsch memorabilia hangs wall-to-wall—inside and out—and the dimly lit atmosphere makes for a relaxing experience. Because the restaurant is a converted house, the split dining areas make you feel like you’re eating and drinking at a friend’s place. Outdoor seating is available during the summer and word on the street is Sunday brunch is their jam." - Anna Affias
"Big Joe’s in Andersonvillie feels a little like a semi-finished basement with carpeted floors, a couple of dartboards, and a pool table the bartender will let you play for free if no one is around. But on Friday nights, they hold turtle races. There are prizes for the winner and loser of each race - and every drink you buy earns you another chance to compete. Which, obviously, is the best use of the holiday money you got from your grandparents." - josh barnett
"Joe’s can be a polarizing place. In the fall, bros gather to watch tons of college football. But bros can’t live on sports alone. Bands like cover band Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press serenade the bros, trying to soothe the sweet beasts." - Naomi Waxman
"Six days out of the week, Big Joe’s is just a typical Chicago corner bar. There might be a few people sharing pitchers of cheap beer, but you won’t have any issue getting on the pool table or dartboards. On Friday nights, though, it’s as packed as a River North club giving away free Jell-O shots, because that’s when Big Joe’s hosts their legendary turtle races. Every drink you buy earns you a chance to claim a turtle champion, and if your turtle wins (or comes in last) you win a prize. The best part is how the gradual turn from “Why am I here?” to “This is the most fun I’ve ever had” is shared by a room full of strangers over the course of the night." - josh barnett
"Big Joe’s is a great dive. The floors are carpeted, the beer is cheap, and on the nights when you’re the only person in the bar (which happens more often than you’d think), one of the friendly bartenders might unlock the pool table and give you free rein. But it’s the turtle races they host on Friday nights that make it spectacular. It’s packed to capacity, and because the more drinks you buy, the more chances you have to race, things get rowdy pretty quickly. Winners get free T-shirts, last place gets a free beer, and everyone else gets an excuse to buy more drinks." - Josh Barnett
