Bitter Pops

Visited all the way from Florida to get a spice bag. I visited Dublin last year and have been searching for a spice bag all over the US ever since. It was AMAZING!!! I wasn’t expecting it to even compare to what I got when I was in Dublin, but they do them so right here. Also, I got a nice pint of Guinness here. 10/10, would definitely recommend.

​Bitter Pops is hands-down one of my favorite spots in Lakeview. Last Friday night, I dropped about $40 on their Double Smash Burger, a side of fries, and a couple of craft beers. The burger was juicy and flavorful, and the rotating beer selection kept things interesting. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to recommend something new. Whether you're grabbing a drink with friends or just looking for a chill spot to unwind, Bitter Pops has got you covered.​

Great taproom that maintains a neighborhood feel with modern furnishings and a clean space. The chill vibe, brews (including coffee), and food is always high quality and priced appropriately. Drink selections rotate with the seasons and always taste fresh. Smash burgers and fish baskets are a must, I have yet to have a bad meal here. The owners both maintain a high standard of performance for their space as well as their products, it’s clearly a labor of love. I like that the bartenders remember you, and that the atmosphere created is always welcoming. Megan makes a point to say hi to my elementary school daughters and explain to them what their next product is, almost like a peer would. I’m glad that they get to see what good leaders look like. Give them a shot because places this good are rare, and helps make Chicago a great place to live.

I thought I had a solid top burger list but after tasting this smash burger I had to reverse course faster than blue cross blue shield did on anesthesia. Don’t sleep on this burger too long or blue cross blue shield might charge you! The first thing that stands out is the Christmas decor. The tree, the lights, the ornaments and the fake fireplace make the place feel cozy, inviting and full of holiday spirit. If you trying to get jolly they got ally the beer and cider you could want. We came for the food. We each ordered a smash burger. Hers vegetarian and mine normal. It honestly reminded me of google’s quantum chip. I know it’s a big deal and it’s a vast improvement from the competition but I couldn’t really tell you why. All I know is if we’re in a multiverse I want the other multiverses to have this burger too! Highly recommend this place! We can’t wait to go back

Ok, can I just LIVE in this place!! Fully stocked liquor store with an array of alcohol any true snob could ask for. An iced nitro coffee that is as tasty as much as it is a game changer to help you get through this weird & often exhausting ass life & A smashburger & fried crispy chicken sandwich that will make you wonder how vegans exist!! The staff was really cool, laid back & helpful...Bitterpops THANK YOU for still holding on to this level of integrity. Cheers to eating well!!

I stopped in here when visiting a friend last year. Absolutely loved the atmosphere at Bitter Pops. Took my first Malort shot here, which I will never forget. I really enjoyed that they had an option to get a ranch water in a Topo chico bottle. The pretzel and the buffalo cauliflower were also exceptional. Definitely recommend stopping in here for a drink if you're in the area! Instagram: @funas_eats_it

I came here with some friends on a Sunday afternoon because they have board games and we felt like having a couple drinks. As far as food goes, the burger was fantastic. The meat was cooked perfectly and the caramelized onions added another layer of flavor. I got it with fries, which were pretty meh and I probably could’ve gone without. I washed that down with the Courage Lager which was a good beer. The real star though was their cider which was perfect for a chilly winter day. I would highly recommend everyone order that.

One of my favorite secrets of Lakeview! If you like to work remote, come in the morning for a fantastic breakfast, amazing coffee (and the matcha is great as well!) and wifi. If you’re into beer or fun craft cocktails, come in the evening—they have anything and everything as far as beer goes and seasonal drinks. AND on the south side of the building they retail beer, wine and liquor and have a really eclectic collection. I absolutely love this place!

Love how you can find anything and everything here. A good burger? Check. Variety of handcrafted lattes? Check. Local beers? Check. Board games? Check. Space to do work? Check. They also have a larger private space in the back for parties and events. Just email them, they are so nice and accommodating. I always take friends visiting the city here!

Unfortunately, after the last few months of diminished service, a few key personnel changes, and outrageously increased prices, it's time to update my previous review. For the past couple years, we've more or less been regulars at BP, holding up at the bar or patio once a week or for a happy hour with coworkers. Several of the folks behind the bar knew our faces, if not always our names, and we never had any issues with service despite what others had indicated in some of these reviews. Over the past few months, however, particularly since the former bar manager moved on, that's no longer the case. Someone in a recent review mentioned feeling invisible while waiting to order at the bar, and that has definitely been a feeling I've experienced recently. Some of the bartenders seem pretty unhappy to be back there - the friendly vibe we've felt for years just isn't there anymore. Maybe you could get past that if that was the only change in the past year. But, unfortunately, prices have absolutely skyrocketed in the past several months to a point where it's cost prohibitive to have a drink. And, look, it's cool that you're bringing in kegs on draft from places like Trillium and Other Half, but upwards of $12 for 10oz of an IPA? Especially when you're often selling cans of the exact same beer in the retail shop at $26-28 for a 4 pack? I feel like it was only a second ago when they were doing 6oz pours of 15% stouts for $10, now hazy IPAs are almost the price of a decent cheeseburger?? (Their decent double cheeseburger with fries will run you $20+, which brings me to...) We still enjoy the pretzel and beer cheese, and have nothing but great things to say about the guys that staff the food counter, especially the gentleman in the Orioles hat. Really nice guy, friendly, often goes the extra mile. But, even that's $8 for a 6" pretzel. Which means a light snack around lunchtime for two plus a 10oz beer each can now end up running you $50 before tip. Two beers and two pretzels close to $100!! We just had an appetizer and two full meals with two drinks down the street for same price. It's insane. It sucks writing this, it really does. It's hard saying goodbye to a friend, y'know? Maybe we'll give it a shot one snowy day in the winter and I'll be happy to say I've changed my mind; but at this point, It's no longer in the regular rotation.

Bitter pops is a fun spot to grab a drink. I stopped by on a nice summer night and they had the walls totally open to outside. They also have a patio on one side. Everyone working was friendly overall. It was a nice vibe! It's pretty bright inside, so not a super intimate place. It is very chill. They have board games and a limited food menu. I had a watermelon spritz which was delish and I want another! It was the perfect refreshing summer drink! I'll be back to try more fun cocktails on the menu, but might sit outside next time!

Sometimes it's hard for me to try the relatively new places. I'm decidedly old school when it comes to burger joints or any joint for that matter. All the bells and whistles and n many of the new spots just don't add up to good grub meat ch less great grub. Not the case with Bitter Pops by a long shot. Sure they are kinda new and are a good looking joint with all the bells and whistles, great decor, nice bar, etc. etc. you just assume the burgers are gonna be just meh. The smash burger here is pretty bomb is all I can say. A very righteous burger in a land of too many average burgers. The double smash patties are cooked just right and crispy on the edges. Topped with the bare minimum you get to actually taste meat and not a slather of toppings. They ration of smash burger to toppings is on time. Accompanied by a side of house chips is the right move. You don't even need to add anything on this smash burger. I'm be if those guys who always adds ketchup mayo whatever. Not so with Bitter Pops burger. The service is excellent as well. We sat at the bar with a really cool and pretty female bartender. I wish I recall her name but I'll get it next time. She was knowledgeable about the offerings and super friendly. That's half of the experience and she hit it outta the park. Try these folks at Bitter Pops you won't regret it.

We came here by recommendation and were supposed to meet friends. Immediately when we arrived, we called our friends not to come. The music was obnoxiously loud, and they were bringing a baby. Since we were already there, we decided to stay, but if you tried to have a conversation, you can see everyone screaming in each other's ears. I would've rather be at a club if I wanted music blasting. As for the food, we came to try the Original Spice Bag- we liked the spices and curry sauce, but I would've wanted the fries a tad crispier. Pop's Double Smashburger was good, too, but overall, nothing stood out or was that amazing. We ate a few bites and packed up to leave.

My lovely wife and I were looking for a special beer that was brewed in honor of a certain retiring meteorologist. Sure enough, we were able to pre-order a 4-pack of this beer online on the Bitter Pops website. This also allowed us the opportunity to visit Bitter Pops for the first time. They offer a decent number of local beers in the taproom, so we each enjoyed some pours while sitting at the central bar. They have a limited food menu with noted items like burgers and fries, but we did not partake. Before we picked up our online beer order, we ogled the tantalizing takeout offerings in the emporium that featured wall-to-wall craft beers. We stuck with our original order, but it was not an easy decision to pass up getting another fun beer purchase.

Was in the neighborhood and really craving a michelada so I decided to try Bitter Pops as it was the closest bar that sold this particular drink. I am so glad I stumbled upon this neighborhood bar. The employees are really nice and I love that it is self service but there is still a host that seats you. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I decided to sit outdoors as it was a beautiful day. Now for the micheladas... OMG. I have officially found my go to place for micheladas. They use their house made pickle juice and I have to say the flavors are divine. It has a unique taste and I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend this bar for people watching and catching up with friends!

Last time I was here came through on the Warmest day in February because I knew they have a patio. And I could get a certain stout. Funkin' for Jamaica. I was delighted to learn there is also a song by that name from the bartender. After that I got Everyday sheeple; a sour. Decent selection of beer and they also do coffee, beer to go and food. They are cashless though. It was a lovely day!!

To preface, I struggled between a three and a four star review of Bitter Pops. If you're looking for the typical beers, burgers, and games Chicago bar than you may really love this spot! For me, it is a loud and crowded bar. The food and beverages are all counter / bar service (no waitstaff). When checking in the staff seemed overwhelmed but friendly, however, it was very busy. The bar was very loud, people stood next to our table yelling at each other to make conversation while we ate. The restaurant did seem clean, however. I had the double cheeseburger- it was exceptionally good! The fries needed more seasoning. To me Bitter Pops, underscores the problem of Yelp in that what I consider "okay" other people may love. Personally, it's not a place I will go out of my way to eat at but if I happen back there I'll order a burger and have a good enough time.

We LOVE Bitter Pops and come here often! Definitely a neighborhood favorite! They have a bunch of interesting beers on tap - I always find something I like. They also have a wide array of cocktails if you're not a beer drinker. Also love my Topo Chico sparkling water in a glass bottle for a reasonable $3 per between beers. The bartenders are always really friendly here! It's serve yourself for water and you'll pick up your food at the kitchen, so not a lot of frills but that's part of the charm. The food is DELICIOUS!!! I love their burgers and they always have a rotating one that's only available on Thursdays. Honestly haven't had anything there that I haven't liked. When the weather is nice, you can bring your pup and sit outside on their patio. Since they serve food, no dogs inside. Regardless, it's nice to be able to walk the dog and grab a beer, especially in the summer. Overall my husband and I LOVE Bitter Pops and will desperately miss it if we ever move away from the neighborhood!

I really like this place - I have been a couple times sitting outside on the patio and also sitting inside at the bar. The first time I was there I got one of their topo chico cocktails which was fabulous. The second time I got a hibiscus margarita which was also delicious. We also got the pretzels which were soft and salted perfectly. Overall I think they have some great specials for the morning and for late night. I will be back I would love to come in the mornings they have a coffee bar it seems like it would be a nice place to hangout and do work.

Bitter Pops is a very cool combination of craft beer store, taproom, and restaurant. The food menu is limited but they truly have one of the best smashburgers in town. I also like their fries and the fact that you can choose from an array of dipping sauces. They run an awesome lunch special, otherwise I think the food is a bit overpriced for what it is, but so is everything these days it seems. The place is clean. The bartender and Calvin, who was working in the store, were both very nice and helpful, but I encountered a bunch of other staff members during my most recent visit and the attitude of almost everyone was completely indifferent, which was quite off-putting. The outdoor patio is very nice and obviously there's the tap aspect, which is cool although I am not a beer drinker so really cannot comment. Ultimately, it is worth checking out to get a great burger. Come for lunch during the week, though, as you'll save like half the price.

I definitely need to come back! A friend told me to come to dinner with her here for their Wednesday night special. 14$ for a really really good burger and a beer. The beers are always changing and celebrating a new brew! The food was good, it was a great place with a great location, and the staff was so so so friendly. I cant wait to come back to try more of their food and brews.

It would be nice if they decided what they wanted to be. They have a good selection of beer for a pub, but just okay for a taproom - almost half of their taps are not beer. They have a convenience store with a larger selection of beer attached. The food is ordered from a separate stand inside. They have one TV which was thankfully playing the game I wanted, but there is not a seat in the place with a good, unobstructed view. At that point, why even have a TV? The decorations are minimal and just way too generic. The saving grace is the service from the bartenders (and ONLY from the bartenders). The two working tonight, November 12, were so delightful and welcoming. One even got creative and made a child a mocktail at her father's request. She was so excited. They were both knowledgeable and willing to look up whatever they didn't know. Just amazing couple of bartenders/beertenders.

Bitter Pops is a local Lakeview drinking establishment near Lincoln and Paulina--there's a convenient store attached to the bar. Every time I've been it's usually packed and so challenging to get a table or seating area for a group bigger than 3. In the warmer months, there's outdoor seating. I am not a craft beer drinker (or any sort of beer drinker) and so only visit when my group of friends come, which is usually Thursday evenings. I usually only get the food items and so will base my rating on that primarily. Last evening, I got the double smash burger and the french fries (not a la carte). One orders food at the food counter located past the bar but before you reach the restrooms. There is a private space in the back. The burger was pretty decent, but was a bit salty. This was probably due to the cheese, which was really liquidity (almost like a cheese dip). The fries, which were thicker cut, were amazing. There was definitely enough to share the fries. I've also had the fish and chips, which I remember being decent.

Cutest place! Great food. Nice outdoor patio. Friendly bartenders and a selection of N.A. beers too!! Had a great time!

Nice bar/restaurant just north of Belmont and Lincoln. It's got a nice craft beer list and bar inside, plus a full food menu. The food you order at a separate window. And then they call your number once its ready, so not traditional waiter service. I got the fried chicken sandwich which was really good. Plenty of seating both indoors and out. I liked the vibe, I'd definitely come back and try some new beers and get some different food options off the menu.

Great burger spot in the Chicago! A lot of beers on tap as well. Could use some more tvs inside but overall a good experience.

Bitter Pops always has a unique beer selection on tap. Their homemade chips are outstanding and I look forward to trying their smash burger.

It's high time I review one of my favorite places on the north side. Bitter Pops may be known for their beer, for the food is actually most of the reason I keep coming back. First, let's talk about the beer. 20 beautiful taps stand at the center of attention, boasting a continuously rotating selection of all kinds of beer styles. If you can't find a beer you like here, you're either too picky or don't actually like beer. I always end up getting several 5oz tasters, which are reasonably priced, so that I can taste a variety of beers. My Untapped is never as active as when I come here! A big shoutout to the bartenders as well - they're always super friendly and have the best head/facial hair in the biz. Next, the food. What originally brought me in here was a picture of their cheeseburger. It's one of my favorites in the city. It's a wonderful double smash patty with melty cheese and a soft bun. But that's not all, they also do monthly burger specials, which are their version of regional burgers found throughout the country. They do delicious seasonal salads, which use ingredients and flavors that are currently available. Lastly, look out for the spice bag. It's also seasonal but if you can find the spicy chicken one, it is the best! I love this place and bring visitors whenever they're in town. There is no better place to try a bunch of different styles of beer with some of the best food in town.

Friendly staff, friendly patrons, great music, and burger/sandwich of the month night was always fire, when I went. I've since moved to the suburbs, but definitely need to come back for another Thursday. It's the type of spot you can go to on your own, and still end up having good conversations with whoever's there.

This place has everything you could ever need. Also they do a lot of activities events. Pretzel and burger are great. Beer selection is also excellent.

100% food review: FIRE Best Fries in Chicago! With the beer cheese sauce!? GTFO. The burger was easy to eat (stayed together) and was intensely flavorful. 5/5 Would get fat there again

First sign this place sucks: fries sold separately from the "kitchen burger". Then, the cheap interior, and the fact that there's no tables available and no servers. Go around the corner to Avenue Tap for an AMAZING burger and actual service

I like this place. Good selection of beers. They've added fun drinks to the menu. Good burgers from the kitchen. Cute patio. But fair warning - if you sit at the bar you are invisible. Service for those sitting at the bar is...pretty terrible.

This was a neat little place, a liquor store on one side and a bar/restaurant on the other. We perused the liquor store then went next door for dinner and a beer. I got the fish and chips, my friend got a burger. She said her burger was delicious, my fish a chips were pretty good too. The bartender was a little sassy but nothing we couldn't handle. They seem like they've got some cool events on the restaurant side, def a place to keep on the radar. We ended up buying a couple things at the liquor store after dinner and were on our way!

Love this place. We've been buying beer here for a long time. The selection is great with tons of good local stuff. Decent organization as well by style but it doesn't always work as they kinda group by brewery too, but someone is always around to help out. The taproom is good too - they'll get some really good releases from Maplewood and other local breweries so it's always often worth going. And I'm glad they're on untapped so I can check beforehand. 18 taps though so there's always something to your liking. I keep meaning to eat there. One of these times I'll try it out. Loving the patio though and the huge new private room too.

I love this place! The burger. The Michigan salad. The selection of beers available by the taster size or pint. It's all fantastic! They recently hosted a tap takeover with Rhinegeist which was great. I enjoyed having an opportunity to try more than a brewery's top 3 (they did 16 different beers I think). So fun! Sit out on the patio or inside at the bar. Either way you'll enjoy yourself!

Fantastic spot!!!! They have a wonderful selection of beers BUT if that's not your thing, no worries! I had a very good old fashioned there. We also ordered the cauliflower wings (pickled buffalo cauliflower) it was soooooo good! To top it off though, our bartender Izzy (spelling may be wrong and I apologize) was fantastic!!! We were having a rough night and wanted to get out of the house to clear our head and grab a drink. We ended up grabbing multiple drinks + food because Izzy was so welcoming, personable, and kind. One of those spots I would go back to for the service alone, however, drinks and food were spot on and good! Nice outdoor seating too. Give it a try, super friendly vibe in the heart of west Lakeview

The service and food were outstanding. Truly surprised by the food. Had the fish sandwich, pretzel, spice bag, and more fries! I'll definitely be ordering take out from here often.

Comfortable ambiance and fun local beers on tap. There is an adjoining sales section. The menu is small but the food is excellent. Make sure the kitchen is open before you go though! They are open at 8am for coffee too!

Maybe I'm partial, but Bitter Pops is like a home away from home for anyone who walks through the door. Whether you want coffee, beer or burgers you can find what you're looking for here. A self-service kind of place the staff across the retail, bar and food counter do their best to make people feel welcomed and like they've come to the right place. Seasonal cocktails, draft beer on rotation, weekly lunch and dinner deals - what more could you ask for? Oh, and definitely check out their game shelves - you could be here for hours. Get here early though because seating can be a premium during peak dinner times and weekends.

What an unbelievable experience here tonight! Introduced because of The Stroll, this place features incredible food, brew, and cocktails. I'd force not been here yet, get yo ass down here. Oh, and do I mention the playlist??? Diggable Plaets are playing now - dope playlist since I walked in!!!!!

Love this place! Great energy. The beer selection is great... Bella (our bartender) was great. And Connor's playlist was BOMB! The best customer service we've had in a very long time. We're going back tomorrow to experience the food.

Great local craft beer selection, and some solid, rotating bar food selections. They are very engaged with their craft beer "mission", so there's always something different going on.

Such a perfect spot for our little part of West Lakeview. It's got a brewpub vibe, with 18 beers or so on rotation, a decent food menu (try the burgers and pretzels), and a great patio that gets packed when the weather's nice. Highly recommend planning on at least a half hour wait if it's sunny on a summer weekend, but their tables are huge and can hold a big group if you're rolling in deep. They also hold random events during the week worth checking out, like live music or food/beer specials. We went yesterday and got a great burger/fries/beer combo that cost less than their burger and fries normally do! Also, I always appreciate a place with a designated spot to order food and order drinks - you don't need to worry about trying to get a server's attention over some people seated at the bar. For the neighborhood there's really no better spot to hang out with friends if you're into trying different beers. Even if it isn't the summer, there are lots of seats inside and we even had our baby with us in the backroom when he was only a month or so old. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

Awesome chill spot! A coworker and I stopped in for a drink on a Wednesday evening and had a great time. It wasn't too crowded, and we grabbed a spot at the bar. The bartenders were super friendly and laidback, and the overall atmosphere was very relaxed and enjoyable. I loved the cider I got. I can't wait to come back to the patio in the summer and also to shop at the connected store!

I have been wanting to try for awhile now! I went on a Thursday evening with a group of friends. It was great. We sat outside with warm heaters than moved in when a table was ready. The hostess was so kind and added us to the waitlist for inside. The impossible burger and fries were yummy!! I also enjoyed the hibiscus Marg! I wish the food menu was a little bigger with a bit more variety or more shareables. I would go back!

Excellent beer selection! I wish the kitchen had been open. But it was a Monday. But great beer for sure. Nice staff as well.

Hubs and I drove up here from the west suburbs to play some board games with our pals. We were able to park on the street a little ways away (boo paid parking, boo!). When we arrived, we were asked for our vax cards and IDs. We put our stuff at our table, hit up the gender-neutral, spacious, and clean bathrooms, and then made our way to the coffee bar. I settled on a very yummy espresso drink that had honey and citrus in it (its name escapes me at the moment, but it was something like "chaotic bouquet"?). It was delicious but man, was it tiny. I felt like I could have had an extra large Dunkin cup full of it, it was so good! Hubs had a regular latte with oat milk, which was also tasty. We got one of each of the cake ball flavors they had, but these weren't the best. They were pretty dry and very, very sweet. I can see how people with sweet tooths and little kids would enjoy them but they weren't for us. We also shared two flights and a couple of pints. We didn't stay long enough for the kitchen to open but I think next time, we'll try the chicken sandwich and/or the Spice Bag. All in all, this was a super cool place to go and hang out with some friends and knock back some coffee and beer! They also have a pretty decent selection of craft brews and spirits as well, although we elected not to take any home with us.

Wonky set up logistically. I repeated my phone number when I ordered my food (they text when it's ready). They either forgot to text me or texted the wrong number. Either way, our fries were cold and the burgers were good, but not great. Stood in a very short line to order a beer for a stupid amount of time. I so wanted to like the place.

The double smash burger was served on a cold bun. The burger itself was fine but the cold bun was chewy. The beer on tap is okay. The service is spotty. A hostess will seat you and explain nothing. You can order beer at the bar. Food must be ordered around the corner. Everything is paid on your tab. I'm not sure I would go here again.

Bitterpops is our favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant. Not only do they make coffee drinks, personalized wine selections and amazing food, but also offer incredible service. Their event space is intimate and well run and I couldn't recommend their crew enough!

Popped in here to meet a few friends and wow was it more than I expected. Sure, the beers were fine but let me tell you about the Tepache Highball... I don't think I can live without it. Cinnamon? Pineapple? Whiskey? It has it all. And Izzy's personable and knowledgeable service to boot. Will be back a million times over!

Very unique place on the Northside of Chicago. My friend has a beer there and we came to check the place out. The burger was delicious I may say. We played games a drunk beer. I'll be back

Knowledgeable staff, phenomenal beer selection and great burgers. One of my favorite spots in the neighborhood.

This place is on a major intersection in wrigleyville and had one bartender and line out the door?? Come on - and no Cubs game in when they are playing for first place in the division. Nice bartender, but who does this?? Come on. Boo!

Has it all coffee, great beer and cocktails and good food!! Also it is truly a go to place in this neighborhood!!!

I used to live two steps away from this place. Can't believe I've never reviewed them as I've been there so many times. They have a great beer selection. So many 4-5 star beers on untappd are sold here. They have now opened a new location with a larger space. We also enjoyed going to their events such as the dog costume Halloween party. Their new location has bomb ass greasy burgers.