Carol's Pub
Pub · Sheridan Park ·
Live country music, line dancing, karaoke, and diner fare
Live country music, line dancing, karaoke, and diner fare
"After a two-year slumber, Carol’s Pub, returned to Uptown in 2018 with a new owner, fresh interiors, and a bonafide food menu. The refresh proved controversial for the bar that continues to host live music. The bar retains much of its charm, minus some of the smoke damage from years and years of cigarettes. Customers still dance the night away until 5 a.m. on Saturdays as live country bands provide the soundtrack." - Ashok Selvam
"Carol’s is the last honky tonk in Chicago, a remnant of the population that migrated to Uptown from Appalachia in the 1960s. Now there’s live country-western music and a menu loaded with Kentucky bourbon and also fried bologna sandwiches, but make no mistake: the beer in cans and the 4 a.m. closing time mean it’s a dive." - Ashok Selvam
"If the Dolly Parton portrait and all the cowboy memorabilia weren’t clear about what you’ll be hearing at Carol’s Pub, the big painted words outside say it all: “Live Country and Western Music.” Since 1972, this large, divey bar in Uptown has been a hot spot for twangy guitars and banjos, Johnny Cash cover bands, and even some line-dancing. Should you need to fuel up before stepping on the dancefloor, they have some solid bar food like burgers, chicken tenders, and fried pickles, plus plenty of daily drink deals. And while most performers at Carol’s are country artists, it’s worth checking their event calendar or Instagram for surprise performances—Wilco did a secret show at Carol’s in 2022." - john ringor, nick allen
"This historic bar recently was remodeled to add a full kitchen. For years, the dance floor has been home to late-night shenanigans with square dancing and such. With new ownership, the music has continued and it’s one to watch for surprise late-night shows from mainstream artists." - Naomi Waxman
"A long-running late-night hangout that was brought back after a significant reopening, it represents the kind of neighborhood institution that sparks fierce debate when ownership or decor changes. Its rebirth underscores tensions between preserving a beloved, working-class vibe and adopting updates that risk alienating regulars." - Naomi Waxman
